Changes were agreed after talks with clubs, managers and players

THE SFA last night sought to defuse the ongoing row over changes to its disciplinary system by insisting they were agreed after widespread discussions from people across the game.

A panel of three former Category One officials is now tasked with deciding if players should be cited for infringements unseen at the time by the match referee.

In previous seasons, the man in the middle was able to review such flashpoints and draw them to the attention of the Compliance Officer if he saw fit.

The revamp has come in for severe criticism after several instances of serious foul play went unpunished — as compelling appeals against red cards for Gary Dicker and Mikey Devlin were turned down.

But in a statement released last night, the SFA insisted the change was only made after consultation with clubs, managers and players from across the country.

‘There has been much discussion and debate around the changes made for this season to the Judicial Panel Protocol,’ it read.

‘One key change that was made was in respect of unseen offences of serious foul play and violent conduct. As of this season, the match referee is no longer asked to provide a statement of opinion. This removes any perceived conflict where the match official is placed in the position of reassessing their original decision.

‘Instead, the Compliance Officer asks a three-person panel to review whether a sending-off offence occurred. Only where all three individuals agree that a sending-off offence occurred will a Notice of Complaint be raised.

‘The panel are drawn from a pool of former Category One referees who remain active in the game and are therefore up to date with any modifications to the Laws of the Game and current coaching guidance.

‘This panel is only used to assess unseen offences of serious foul play, violent conduct and spitting. It is completely separate and distinct to the Judicial Panel itself who are tasked with reviewing Notices of Complaint and Fast Track Claims. The Judicial Panel is made up of people from across the game.

‘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.

‘The SPFL Competitions Working Group, which includes representation from all four leagues, were also consulted during the process. Systems used across other national associations, including the FA, were considered as part of the process, and influenced the recommended approach. These recommendations were approved by the Scottish FA 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 Scottish FA 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.

‘In addition, 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.’