Hibs appeal over Bartley’s red card

Marvin Bartley hit out at his weekend red card after Hibs formally launched an appeal with the SFA.

The midfielder was sent-off for the second time this season after referee Stephen Finnie accused him of kicking out at Bobby Barr during Saturday’s goalless draw away to Raith Rovers.

The 30-year-old’s dismissal left the Easter Road outfit to play for nearly an hour with 10 men.

Manager Neil Lennon demanded justice and fairness and questioned referees’ competence after his side’s third red card in their last five matches.

Barr backed Finnie’s decision, however, retorting: “The boy has just kicked me. I went for a tackle, the ball broke away and Bartley has just booted me.”

Bartley’s previous dismissal – in the 2-1 defeat to Ayr United – was overturned on appeal, and Hibs yesterday confirmed they would again contest the player’s sending off.

A statement read: “The club can confirm that we will be appealing Marvin Bartley’s red card which he received at the weekend against Raith Rovers.”

Bartley’s fate will be decided by a judicial panel at Hampden on Thursday, with a two-match ban on the cards should Hibs fail in their appeal.

However, the former Bournemouth and Burnley midfielder, who was awarded a free-kick in the incident after being fouled by Barr, hit back yesterday with a posting on social media.

He said: “Today I will be practising how to stop in mid air and also how to ‘boot’ someone half my size and not spin 180 degrees and end up on my bum!”

Marvin Bartley: hit back on social media over his sending off.