Killie go to war with SFA over Jones dive storm
KILMARNOCK have submitted a formal complaint to the SFA concerning the ‘unprecedented’ comments made by head of refereeing John Fleming about Rugby Park winger Jordan Jones. The Northern Ireland international was given a two-match ban for diving in the victory over Dundee earlier this month. However, while accepting the punishment offered, Kilmarnock said Jones remained ‘adamant’ he had not ‘carried out an act of simulation’, nor tried to con referee Steven McLean.
The 24-year-old’s tumble prompted the award of what proved a match-winning penalty and the furore led the Dundee Supporters Association (DSA) to write to the SFA questioning the suitability of McLean — whose father played for Kilmarnock — being assigned the fixture.
Fleming’s response to the DSA has upset the Rugby Park club. In the correspondence, the SFA official claims acceptance of the ban equates to acceptance that Jones sought to deceive McLean.
Kilmarnock have now called for an investigation into those remarks, with the row breaking out just as the club’s manager Steve Clarke is due to face a separate SFA hearing today.
‘Kilmarnock Football Club wishes to express its great disappointment at comments made by the SFA’s Head of Refereeing, John Fleming, in relation to our player, Jordan Jones,’ said a club statement.
‘In a letter to the Dundee Supporters’ Association (DSA) regarding one of the penalty incidents against Dundee, Mr Fleming stated: “The two-match suspension offered to the player has been accepted by the club which, in my opinion, clearly indicates the player committed an act of simulation during the match. On accepting the two-match suspension, the club, in my opinion, are accepting the player committed the act, solely to deceive the referee”.
‘In our statement on the matter, we made it clear that Jordan denied committing an act of simulation and denied any intention to deceive the referee.
‘The sole reason for not challenging the charge was that we had no additional substantive evidence to submit, so therefore took a pragmatic view to accept the penalty and move on. Having taken this decision and accepted the penalty, we expected this matter to be closed.
‘It is unprecedented for the SFA’s Head of Refereeing to make remarks of this nature.
‘The original correspondence from the DSA to the SFA and Mr Fleming expressing concern over the suitability of Steven McLean to take charge of Kilmarnock matches was completely baseless and cast unfounded aspersions on the referee’s character.
‘It is highly ironic that after another organisation has cast aspersions on the integrity of a match official, it is our club which has been the subject of negative remarks by a senior SFA officer.
‘A formal complaint has been submitted to the SFA and we expect the matter to be investigated fully.’
Clarke has been summoned by the SFA over comments made following the controversial red card shown to Gary Dicker by referee Willie Collum in a defeat against Hearts in August.
Kilmarnock failed in a bid to have the sending off overturned on appeal, with Clarke claiming the case was ‘prejudged’ because Collum had been selected to referee the season’s first Old Firm match the following weekend.
His comments were carried on the official club website, which led to Kilmarnock also being hit with a disciplinary charge that will be considered today.