JUSTICE LEAGUE
Killie boss Clarke to call in lawyers as he slams ‘unprofessional’ beaks who can’t even spell his name right Dons blast Devlin appeal KO as ‘unacceptable’ and demand VAR is introduced to help refs
THE SFA were under siege last night with Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke and Aberdeen refusing to back down in their war with the beaks.
The Dons released a statement branding the rejection of Mikey Devlin’s red card appeal “unacceptable” while demanding consistency and transparency.
Clarke revealed he is ready to take legal action ahead of his SFA hearing on October 25 after being slapped with a two-match ban for criticism of the process.
The raging Rugby Park boss accused the SFA of being unprofessional – as they even got the spelling of his name wrong on the charge sheet.
Aberdeen also called for VAR to be tested in Scotland to help under fire whistles. The SFA have lurched into a disciplinary crisis in the wake of several highly contentious decisions this season.
Alfredo Morelos saw a red card controversially rescinded while Steven Naismith and Allan McGregor escaped punishments for lashing out.
While Killie’s Gary Dicker and Dons defender Devlin’s sending-offs were allowed to stand after appeals.
Celtic’s Craig Gordon slammed the set-up on Thursday with Clarke and Aberdeen piling in yesterday after Record Sport revealed the SFA had gone to rule makers IFAB to ask if they officials were correctly interpreting the guidelines on violent conduct issued in the summer.
The Dons statement said: “Aberdeen find the explanation provided by the SFA in relation to the Michael Devlin red card appeal unacceptable.
“The club maintains its view that the player was wrongfully dismissed, that the evidence presented was a robust defence and was overwhelmingly compelling in the player’s favour.
“In light of recent decisions taken by the SFA, the club believes it is imperative for the country’s football authorities to establish consistency and transparency in the appeal and referral process and will engage in dialogue with the SPFL in this regard to seek their assistance.
“At a time when technology is making a significant and positive impact across sport, the club believes that the impact of the VAR system trials in the English Premier League needs to be considered if stakeholders in the game are going to regain trust in the process.
“AFC is aware that the views we have expressed are held by many who have found key appeal and referral decisions this year perplexing and want to see the governing body deal with this proactively, with a consistent and transparent appeals process high up on the agenda.
“Doing so would enhance the game’s integrity, greatly assist referees, improve the game for fans and, ultimately, the perception of Scottish football.”
Clarke warned the SFA he will lawyer up for his hearing next month after landing charges for bringing the game in to disrepute when he suggested the panel would not overturn the Dicker call because ref Willie Collum had been allocated the Old Firm game the next week.
The Rugby Park boss – who was named as Steven rather than Stephen on the rap sheet – is also furious his club landed a disrepute charge for publishing his statement.
Clarke said: “These are serious charges. I don’t like being told that I’ve brought the game into disrepute when I look at a statement and see nothing wrong
with it. There will be no retractions on my part.
“They cite the relevant rules but inside them there are five or six possibilities which could be attached to the charge.
“What’s annoying – and I know it’s pedantic – is that they can’t even be bothered to spell my name properly. That’s just wrong. I won’t use the word amateurish but certainly unprofessional.
“If you’re going to the lengths of charging someone and sending them a document of that size then the least you can do is show some respect and get their name right.”
The SFA last night defended the process. A statement said: “The overall changes introduced this summer were the subject of discussion and input from two separate working groups comprising representatives from across Scottish football, including clubs, managers and players who met on numerous occasions to discuss and agree to these changes to the Protocol.
“These recommendations were approved by the SFA board and all member clubs received details of all the changes in writing at the start of the season.
“We are always open to making the system more transparent with written reasons for Fast Track proceedings now published on the SFA website alongside details of all Notices of Complaint and Claims lodged and dealt with under the Judicial Panel Protocol.
“The clubs, players and managers are represented in the ongoing review of the Judicial Panel Protocol and we will welcome any input this season through our usual processes.
“Our Referee Operations Department will continue to offer the opportunity to clubs to be refreshed on the current coaching guidance given to referees and any modifications to the Laws of the Game in the future.”
The SFA also revealed their reasons for the Morelos red-card appeal, admitting an “obvious error” had occurred as the ref missed the incident but ‘the player should have been cautioned for unsporting behaviour instead of being sent off for violent conduct’.