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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Walker

Aleksander Ceferin branded 'criminal' for Rangers vs Bayer Leverkusen go-ahead amid coronavirus crisis

Embattled UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has been accused of a “criminal move” for allowing Rangers Europa League clash with Bayer Leverkusen among others to go ahead.

European football's governing body have been heavily criticised for their response to the coronavirus crisis, with football now shut down across the world.

They were accused of holding clubs hostage by demanding European leagues continue their season when football resumes and they've also been slaughtered for being too slow to react.

Rangers' home tie against Leverkusen last month was the last match to take place in Scotland before lockdown, with the Germans winning the first leg 3-1.

(UEFA via Getty Images)

And Slovenian Ceferin has been attacked by his own country's prime minister, Janez Jansa, for his handling of the crisis, after the UEFA president initially accused him of 'apocalypticism' with his speeches.

Jensa said: "Ceferin allowed the Champions League match between Atalanta and Valencia to go ahead as well as other games across Europe that night.

"These matches were not cancelled because of their greed for money.

"And look at what has happened in Italy and Spain? The virus started there and has spread across Europe because of this match. We in Slovenia have not been immune from it.

"It was an irresponsible and criminal move by him and UEFA.

"Since UEFA is under his auspices, then he is responsible for this. He is the culprit.

"The World Health Organisation had already declared a pandemic before these matches took place. Now tens of thousands of people have died and many, many more will die too."

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