Caley face charge for blanking media
INVERNESS CALEY THISTLE are facing an SFA charge after deliberately blanking their Scottish Cup Final media obligations yesterday. Manager John Hughes and skipper Graeme Shinnie were due to attend
the traditional pre-match photo call at Hampden ahead of today’s showdown with Falkirk, yet failed to turn up to the conference without so much as an explanation. Sponsors Willliam Hill and the governing body were left fuming when the Highland club instead sent assistant manager Russell Latapy (right) and injured skipper Richie Foran. Hughes, whose side have been staying and training near Edinburgh all week, was aware of his obligations but refused to return phone-calls from those inquiring why he had not turned up. Shinnie believed he was going to travel to Hampden until being told on Thursday night that he was staying put. It is understood that not only have the club broken their contractual agreement with William Hill, they are also in breach of Scottish Cup rules — a matter that could lead to a charge from the compliance officer. It is believed to be the first time in the history of the competition that a club has snubbed the event. Last night, the
SFA issued a statement to express their bemusement at the behaviour of one of their member clubs. It read: ‘The Scottish FA and the sponsors of the Scottish Cup, William Hill, are extremely disappointed by the failure by Inverness Caledonian Thistle to present their manager John Hughes, and captain Graeme Shinnie, at the traditional manager and captain’s media conference at Hampden Park. ‘This situation is really disappointing since both clubs have contributed greatly to the build-up ahead of the season’s showpiece event. ‘Neither the Scottish FA nor William Hill was advised by the club that they would be unable to fulfil the sponsorship and broadcasting matters, as defined within section 7.1 of the Cup competition rules. ‘The Scottish FA and William Hill would like to apologise to the assembled media in attendance for the unacceptable situation that arose without any prior warning from the club. ‘We will be writing to Inverness Caledonian Thistle to remind them of their media obligations as per section 7.1 in early course.
‘The Scottish FA informs all participating clubs of their media and sponsorship obligations prior to each round and considers today’s situation to be disrespectful to the competition and to one of Scottish football’s most valued sponsors.’ Latapy later apologised on behalf of the club, saying Hughes — who was voted Scottish Football Writers’ Association Manager of the Year last week — was too busy with pre-match preparations. ‘We apologise but, in our mind, getting our players to focus on the Scottish Cup Final is most important and that is what the manager is doing — and rightly so,’ he said.