Aberdeen can forget about ripping up the rulebook to get a new panel for another Graeme Shinnie appeal.
Pittodrie chiefs released a stinging statement on Tuesday night after losing their bid to overturn the skipper’s red card against Ross County. Shinnie was slapped with an extra game ban for attempting to reverse a decision they were warned had no chance of being scrubbed. The midfielder will now miss four of the last six games of the season as the Dons look to nail down third and bank a £5m Euro bonanza.
Pittodrie bosses slammed the decision as ‘ridiculously harsh’ and called for another panel to have another look. But Record Sport understands Hampden officials have been left bemused by the criticism of the set-up – as Aberdeen had an influence in its creation. Dons lawyer Laura McMullan sits on the Rules and Revision and Judicial Panel working groups, while chief executive Alan Burrows is on the all-powerful SFA Professional Game Board.
It is understood SFA bosses have asked Aberdeen why concerns about the operation of the disciplinary process haven’t been raised before the Shinnie flashpoint. The Dons have also been told there is no ruling for another judging panel to be set up because the club are unhappy at the outcome.
The SFA appeals process goes to an independent panel to assess and the sanctions are outwith the governing body’s control. Aberdeen were stunned to lose the appeal – but even more shocked with the extra suspension added.
SFA rules allow for further punishment for bids that are deemed to have no chance of being successful, is used as a delaying tactic or is seen as frivolous. There are similar laws in England but it’s rarely used in Scotland, with former Hibs defender Ryan Porteous hit with a similar sanction last season.
Fuming Dons called for another look but it’s set to fall on deaf ears. A Pittodrie statement said: “We eventually decided to appeal in the belief that it had merit and a chance of success after watching the footage numerous times, listening to the various professional pundits on the matter and discussing it with the player and the manager.
"In setting out our appeal, we also reviewed similar tackles in the Scottish Premiership in the last six months where at least two players who have unintentionally caught an opponent in the follow through of a tackle and were red-carded after VAR reviews have had their ban overturned on appeal and their suspensions quashed.
"Each appeal is heard on its own merits, which means that no prior case/appeal decisions are considered. The legal system for hundreds of years has used and relied upon prior cases as evidence. We believe that the omission of these key prior appeal findings will continue to affect consistency of decision-making.”
"We are publicly asking the Scottish FA to urgently review our appeal with a new panel.
"Scottish FA rules prohibit us from commenting publicly on such decisions, but having been accused of presenting a frivolous appeal, our supporters need to know that this is not only insulting to the club but grossly unfair and entirely untrue. To add a further match ban seems ridiculously harsh and unnecessary.”
Former ref Steve Conroy backed up the Dons – and insisted Aberdeen’s treatment by the beaks was appalling.
The former Grade One whistler – speaking to T10 Digital – said: “Firstly, the fact that a red card was shown in first place and secondly, the SFA have deemed the appeal to overturn it as frivolous is beyond explanation. No matter what anybody says I don’t believe for a second that it was a sending off. It was two players tackling and they connected with each other. How that was deemed a dismissal was staggering. People will now be afraid to tackle
“We have seen many other similar – or worse – challenges being overturned. For the SFA to dismiss it in the way they have is absolutely appalling. I sincerely hope Aberdeen have another avenue to sort this out. They must be furious.”
But fellow former top ref Star Dougal said: “There is enough in that challenge, if the referee has not seen it, to merit getting the referee across to look at it again.
“If I was refereeing that game, that's a red card all day long. For those who don't think it is a red card all day long, they have to move with the times."
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