Servette star out of Rangers clash as 'deplorable' visa ruling by UK authorities has Swiss club seething

Servette have blasted the UK authorities for denying star midfielder Gael Ondoua an entry visa and ruling him out of their Champions League clash with Rangers.

The Cameroon international has been left back in Switzerland in a fresh blow to boss Rene Weiler who was already without SEVEN first team players due to injury and suspension. Servette chiefs released a stinging statement saying they “deplore” the decision which they say has been made for “non sporting reasons”.

Ondoua - who grew up in Russia - made headlines for the wrong reason during the World Cup last year by wearing a Russian flag on his boots amid the war in Ukraine. A club official refused to divulge the reasons for the visa denial at last night’s pre-match press conference at Ibrox. But boss Weiler insists his depleted side CAN upset the odds for a second time after overcoming Genk in the last round having played 85 minutes with 10 men.

In a statement, Servette chiefs said: “His visa has not yet been issued by the British authorities, the player is absent from the trip to Glasgow. The significant efforts made for more than two weeks by the club and its player, also in collaboration with the Scottish Football Association, have not been enough.

“The club deplores this situation and supports its player and his team, which will have to deal without a major player in its workforce for non-sporting reasons.”

Ondoua joins injured first choice goalkeeper Jeremy Frick, right backs Keigo Tsunemoto and Theo Magnin, Miroslav Stevanovic, Alexis Antunes and summer signing Alexander Lyng while striker Enzo Crivelli is suspended after seeing red against Genk.

Weiler said: “It’s clear these players are important for us but I don't want to spend much time talking about