RANGERS reject Eros Grezda allegedly punched an opponent in the head in a post-game car park brawl.
Grezda, 25, rejoined Croatian side Osijek in January after a disappointing 18 month spell at Ibrox and was carted away by cops after the incident.
Rangers flop Eros Grezda allegedly punched an opponent in the head in a post-game car park brawl in Croatia
The £2million flop was banished from Steven Gerrard’s first-team squad after being involved in a spitting incident against Northern Irish side Ballymena.
And the Albanian hothead has been causing trouble again after reportedly whacking a rival in the aftermath of his side’s 3-2 defeat against Rijeka.
Reports in Croatia claim the winger jabbed Rijeka’s goal hero Antonia Colak in the head in the car park outside Rujevica stadium.
Grezda was soon escorted to the police station and could face severe punishment from his club.
Under Croatian FA rules, he is facing a ban between six months and two years if found guilty.
Speaking after his arrest, Grezda said: “I am very sorry that I have found myself in the centre of media attention, especially in the context of everything that happened before on the pitch, during the match with Rijeka.
“We were all, including me, very frustrated by the fact that we were denied the great victory we were close to.
“It is not easy for us to endure injustice on the pitch and stay calm, especially when someone insults and belittles you.
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“When it comes to gross insults on a personal and national basis, then as a person, primarily, but also as an athlete, I am particularly sensitive.
“That happened during the game itself and provocations followed after it ended, while I was in front of the club bus with my teammates.
“So, I was faced with his provocations the whole time.
“I have been living in Croatia for many years, I fulfill all my obligations and I pay taxes here, and the last thing I deserve is that someone belittles and insults me on a national basis.
“I will, therefore, take all appropriate legal steps accordingly to protect my honour and reputation.”
Having seen the story emerge, Colak took to Instagram to react to Grezda’s claims.
Grezda could face a ban between six months and two years
Colak later uploaded CCTV footage that he claimed showed the incident
Alongside a picture of himself on his story, he wrote: “I’m sorry that the mentioned incident happened, because I had no problems with the team and the players on and off the field.
“Emotions reign on the field, and off the field we extend our hands and we are all sports friends.
“When I thought that the physical attack was the worst thing that happened, I read the lies told today in a statement published on the official Osijek website, in which I was called out for insulting on a national basis.
“That did not happen and has nothing to do with the truth.
“I hereby forgive him and for his own good I hope he will seek the help of experts because I am informed this was not his first incident of this nature.
“I am glad I remained calm in that situation because I do not approve of any violence and it would be a wrong message to all young people, for whom we footballers are a role model, if I retaliated in any way.”
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Colak then posted a message that appeared to be from Grezda which read: “I’m not writing this to you not to report me, I’ve cooled down now and I shouldn’t have done it.
“We should have solved it by talking as people, but I was nervous about the whole game and everything, so I tell you and you decide what is best.”
Colak captioned the snap: “I received this message immediately after the incident from which it is clear that there was not a word about insult on a national or personal basis.
“The message was deleted immediately after it was sent, and something completely different was published in the newspaper, I assume at someone’s urging.”
Colak then posted what appears to be CCTV footage of the incident alongside a caption that read: “As can be seen in the surveillance camera footage, I was passing by my vehicle and at the call of my name I stopped and waited, thinking that he would tell me something or ask me something.”
The footage then appears to show a scuffle between two men.
Despite making just 17 appearances during his ill-fated spell in Scotland, Grezda insisted he had no regrets.
Speaking after his return to Croatia, he said: “I had the best year of my career here and I didn’t think twice about moving back to Osijek.
“For me, signing for a massive club like Rangers who get 50,000 fans every week was a brilliant experience. I think I matured a lot both as a person and as a footballer in Glasgow.
“There were offers from other clubs in Croatia and abroad, but this is the right decision.”
Meanwhile Rangers’ second leg Europa League clash against Bayer Leverkusen is one step closer to going ahead.
The round of 16 match, tentatively scheduled for August, could be played with quarantine measures for elite sport due to be relaxed.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
