Radja Naingollan has been banned for SMOKING on the subs bench before a game.
The former Roma and Inter Milan star has been suspended indefinitely by Royal Antwerp for having a not-so-fly puff in the dugout before a recent Belgian Pro League fixture. He was named amongst the substitutes for Sunday’s league clash away at Standard Liege. Both clubs are well known to Rangers, after the Glasgow giants took on both during their Europa League campaigns in the last two seasons.
Naingollan was caught by TV cameras and photographers using his vape as the visiting squad inspected the playing surface before the game. The Great Old lost the game 3-0 to Ronny Deila 's men, which probably didn’t help the Belgian international’s case. It’s not the first time Naingollan has been in trouble in recent weeks. He was recently stopped by police for driving without a valid licence, although Antwerp chose not to publicly comment on that incident.
They did however, release a statement after footage and pictures emerged of the midfielder puffing away. It read: "The club had a conversation with Radja Nainggolan about his general behaviour and how this affects the club and the team. The club has decided to expel Radja from team A indefinitely. Neither the player nor the club will make any further comment on this.
“The focus is once again shifting to the sportive and to the two important home matches, later this week, against KV Oostende and KRC Genk.”
He's not the first player to be snapped or filmed indulging on the bench, although generally those who have just come off the pitch are a bit more health conscious. Leigh Griffiths was spotted chugging a Yazoo milkshake after taking his seat among his Celtic teammates before chowing down on a Tunnock's Tea Cake – one of Scotland's favourite snacks – on the bench during another match.
READ NEXT:
