Killie manager refuses to back down as SFA row hots up

DEFIANT Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke has refused to back down in his row with the Scottish Football Association despite facing a charge of bringing the game into disrepute.

The Rugby Park manager says he is looking forward to his day in court after insisting he stands by the prepared statement he read out attacking Hampden chiefs for their refusal to overturn Gary Dicker’s controversial red card.

Clarke claimed the decision not to wipe the Irishman’s dismissal against Hearts last month had been “pre-judged” after referee Willie Collum was chosen to officiate the recent Old Firm clash at Parkhead.

Both he and Killie — who have also been charged after posting Clarke’s statement on their website — now face a hearing on October 25 but the former West Brom and Reading boss insists he will not back down.

And in a fresh swipe, he has also branded SFA bosses “disrespectful” after they managed to spell his name wrong on the official charge sheet, writing Steven rather than his correct spelling of Stephen.

He said: “I’m disappointed that the club has been charged for something I said, so that’s the first part.

“Obviously we’re going to fight our corner. We’ll go to the hearing and put forward our case.

“I stand by everything I said in my statement — no retraction — so I look forward to the hearing.

“On the charges, maybe I’m being a little bit pedantic but I thought it was disrespectful that they spelt my name wrong, both on the front cover and inside.”