Dons furious as SFA refuse the right to appeal Ojo’s dismissal
ABERDEEN have hit out at the SFA after the club were given no right to appeal Funso Ojo’s controversial second yellow card against Dundee United last weekend.
Ojo was handed a second caution by referee Bobby Madden after the Belgian midfielder’s momentum took him off the pitch where he was allegedly shoved by a United supporter. The fan has since been charged with alleged assault.
Aberdeen say Madden flashed the second yellow card after being told in error by an assistant that Ojo (below) had shoved the fan.
But FIFA rules only allow a yellow card to be rescinded in cases of mistaken identity or simulation, meaning Ojo remains banned for tomorrow’s game at Celtic Park.
The Dons believe the SFA could have taken steps to amend their own rules and regulations to correct ‘a miscarriage of justice’.
And they insist Hampden chiefs could have used their discretion to amend the wording of the rule concerning mistaken identity or to insert a new rule to allow an appeal for a wrongful caution which results in a sending-off.
Aberdeen were ‘bitterly disappointed’ by what they viewed as the SFA’s lack of flexibility over the issue.
Chairman Dave Cormack said in a statement: ‘While the SFA have been sympathetic, they were not willing to take any action mid-season that would provide us with the opportunity to appeal the yellow card to the judicial panel.
‘We have been advised that they will explore a rule amendment for next season, which we welcome, but which won’t help the club and Funso this time.
‘Naturally, we are very disappointed with this outcome because we believe that discretionary powers can and should be used to address and remedy rare situations such as the one in which we found ourselves last Saturday.
‘In going through this process, it has been refreshing to know that Bobby Madden and the refereeing fraternity wanted to come out publicly and accept they got this decision wrong.
‘A stronger relationship between clubs and referees, one where Scottish football is open to change and transparency with supporters, can only be seen as a positive step.’
Ojo is being investigated by Police Scotland over a separate allegation of assault at Tannadice that occurred after the full-time whistle last Saturday.
Meanwhile, Scott Brown is expected to receive the full appreciation of Celtic fans tomorrow when he returns to Parkhead for the first time as an Aberdeen player.
But team-mate Ross McCrorie insists that, despite the gratitude that will inevitably be shown to Hoops legend Brown — who lifted 22 major honours in 14 years at the club — the midfielder’s sole focus will be on a win for the Dons.
‘It will be a special occasion for him because he’s obviously had a great history with Celtic,’ said McCrorie. ‘Knowing Broony, his mentality will be to go in focused on Aberdeen and trying to get three points like in any other game.
‘He’s a top pro and we’re just grateful to have a player of his quality in our ranks. Whatever team he plays in, he will give his all and show a quality performance. He’s strong mentally. It’s not going to affect him. He’s an Aberdeen player now.’ Now aged 36 and sporadically being used in central defence by the Dons, Brown shows few signs of slowing down. Scorer of a diving header in the recent 2-2 draw at Ibrox, his Alfredo Morelos-like celebration went down like a lead balloon with the home fans. Repeating the trick tomorrow may necessitate a more curtailed routine, although McCrorie suspects his teammate’s joy would be no different.
‘I hope he can get another goal,’ he said. ‘That would be welcome. Maybe Broony can do it again this weekend.’
Brown came close to scoring with a header against his old team in the 2-1 home loss for the Dons last month. Stephen Glass’ side were in the ascendancy after Lewis Ferguson cancelled out Kyogo Furuhashi’s opener.
Jota’s late winner was harsh on Aberdeen but it was not the only time this season when their glass jaw was evident, no pun intended.
McCrorie said: ‘Quite a few of the goals we’ve lost this season have been soft and it’s something we’ve got to rectify as a team. Too many individual mistakes are killing us in games.’
That game in early October still feels like one that got away from the Dons. They are determined not to be nursing the same pangs of regret tomorrow.