Rangers striker Jean-Claude Darcheville has been handed a three-match ban by UEFA following his red card against Lyon.The Frenchman will miss both legs of the UEFA Cup clash against Panathinaikos next month, plus the first leg of the tie against Braga or Werder Bremen should his team-mates reach the last 16.

Darcheville was sent off late in the 3-0 defeat by Lyon at Ibrox in December, which ended the Ibrox club's Champions League campaign.

The 32-year-old stamped on Kim Kallstrom in retaliation not long after missing an open goal that would have brought Rangers level as they sought a point to go through.

Rangers have the right to appeal but are waiting to receive the full report on the decision from UEFA before they choose whether to act.

Darcheville was unhappy with referee Lubos Michel's decision.

After the game, he said: "I always take responsibility for myself but the referee got it wrong. Maybe it was a yellow card. I was very surprised when I saw the red card."

Kallstrom had also played down the "little stamp" which caused him no damage.

The Swede said: "All footballers are there to play in front of these fantastic crowds and there is a lot of emotion, and I hope he will not get a long suspension because it was just frustration."

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