Levein hit with SFA charge for ‘13 men’ comment

CRAIG LEVEIN has received an SFA notice of complaint following his withering attack on referee Bobby Madden in the aftermath of Hearts’ contentious defeat against Rangers. The Hearts manager was furious with the match officials after watching his side succumb to a 2-1 loss at Tynecastle on December 2, with Alfredo Morelos notching a controversial winning goal despite being in an offside position when James Tavernier’s cross was delivered. Although that error can be attributed to assistant Anthony Cooper, Levein was also seething at Madden’s failure to punish Morelos for what he perceived to be a string of fouls on Hearts captain Christophe Berra. Levein (pictured) stated that his side were up against ‘13 men’ in Gorgie and described the officials’ showing as ‘abysmal’. He also expressed confidence that he would not be punished for his outburst after citing how Neil Lennon escaped censure for similar comments directed at Don Robertson following Hibs’ 4-2 defeat against Celtic in October. The Northern Irishman said that was ‘like playing against 12 men’. However, SFA compliance officer Clare Whyte sees it differently. She has charged Levein with an alleged breach of disciplinary rule 72, relating to ‘suggesting bias or incompetence on the part of [a] match official’. If he is found guilty, the former Scotland manager faces a likely two-match touchline ban. Asked recently whether he would contest any notice of complaint as a result of his comments, Levein stated: ‘I’m sure I would.’ The hearing has been set for December 20 at Hampden. Meanwhile, Dundee have failed in their appeal over Nathan Ralph’s red card in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Rangers. The 25-year-old will now miss Saturday’s match against Kilmarnock.