Lennon lets rip at standard of refs after a ‘comical’ red card
NEIL LENNON last night questioned the standard of Scottish referees after describing Hibernian’s continued disciplinary woes as ‘comical’.
The Easter Road outfit regained top spot following a fiery 0-0 draw with Raith Rovers yesterday, but that did nothing to quell the ire of the Northern Irishman after Marvin Bartley was shown a red card.
Referee Stephen Finnie adjudged Bartley to have kicked out at Bobby Barr in retaliation following a challenge from the Raith winger in the first half and sent the midfielder packing.
Lennon is now ready to seek answers from SFA head of refereeing John Fleming.
‘He (Finnie) has said Marvin retaliated and stood on Barr’s groin,’ said Lennon, who confirmed he would appeal the decision, just a month after Bartley’s red card against Ayr United was rescinded.
‘I’ve seen it and he’s nowhere near his groin. He’s maybe had a little kick out — which did not merit a red card.
‘We are not getting fairness. I am not accusing referees of dishonesty, or anything like that, however I am questioning their competence.
‘It is comical now — look at the foul count, we are a very disciplined team. It is very annoying that referees are making us out to be a dirty team because they keep sending my players off.’
Bartley’s dismissal was the defining moment of a contest high on aggression — with Raith receiving five yellow cards to complement Hibs’ red — but low on goalmouth action.
Paul Hanlon passed up the best opportunity when he rose highest to meet a James Keatings corner in the first half, only to see his header hit the crossbar.
‘It is a big point and we are top of the league, which is a big thing psychologically,’ added Lennon, seeking to take the positives from the day.