IN THE DOCK!
Skondras is facing a long ban as SFA charge Accies man for role in melee
HaMiLTon defender ioannis Skondras is facing a lengthy SFa ban after he was charged with excessive misconduct following an explosive melee against ross County last Saturday.
The Greek defender was accused of aiming a punch at Staggies midfielder Christopher routis as well as taking a swipe at Dingwall defender Kenny van der Weg during an incredible bust-up between players from both teams at the SuperSeal Stadium.
He then appeared to manhandle referee Gavin Duncan, who was taking charge of his first Premiership match, before being shown a straight red card following the incident near the end of accies’ dramatic 3-2 win.
The unsavoury scenes, which were shown on the BBC’s Sportscene, have prompted SFa compliance officer Tony McGlennan to take the matter further by issuing the 27-year-old with a notice of complaint. if Skondras accepts the notice, he could receive a punishment ranging from a four-game ban to a 16-match suspension.
He has been accused of breaching disciplinary rule 202, which deals with ‘excessive misconduct’, and has until Thursday, December 28 to decide whether he will challenge the charge. a hearing has been set for January 11.
Both Hamilton and ross County have been handed their own notices of complaint — the clubs charged with breaching disciplinary rule 204 — following the mass confrontation involving players and staff from both sides.
accies had already been warned about their conduct following angry scenes during a match with Hearts at Tynecastle earlier this month and, along with County, are now looking at a potential fine which could range from £500 to £10,000.
reflecting on the incident, which was sparked when Van der Weg reacted angrily to Skondras’ challenge on Davis Keillor-Dunn near the touchline, County boss owen Coyle said yesterday: ‘it won’t surprise me that the SFa will have a look at what happened, in terms of the melee.
‘none of our players raised their hands. our players kept their restraint. There is no place for it in football.’