Hearts star facing ban for dodgy tackle
Hearts star sweating on two game ban for violent conduct after holding role on Kouassi
SFA study footage of Steven MacLean grabbing Celt Eboue Kouassi by the privates
STEVEN MacLEAN was last night sweating on a two-game ban as the SFA weigh up whether to charge him over “Bawsgate”.
Record Sport understands the Hearts striker may be hit with a notice of complaint for violent conduct after
manhandling Celtic midfielder Eboue Kouassi in the Betfred Cup semi-final clash at Murrayfield.
MacLean was captured by TV cameras grabbing the Ivorian by the privates.
The off-the-ball incident was missed by referee Willie Collum and his assistants at the time but it is understood the issue will be reviewed by Hampden chiefs this morning.
A two-game ban is a possibility, although it would almost certainly kick in after tomorrow night’s Edinburgh derby and could mean MacLean misses a rematch with Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday.
It is believed Scottish clubs were told in the summer that incidents of this nature could now be viewed as an act of brutality in the worst-case scenario, with the subsequent charge of violent conduct.
MacLean played down the incident in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s semi-final.
He said: “It was just a laugh, a wee wind-up. Jeez, if I went down every time a centre-half did that to me I’d be on my backside all day.”
But the SFA are ready to look at the incident and may yet dish out retrospective punishment.