McInnes refutes ref abuse charge

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes will go in front of disciplinary bosses to fight allegations he abused referee Bobby Madden after knocking back the offer of a one-match touchline ban.

The Dons boss has been issued with a charge claiming he used foul and abusive language towards the official during Aberdeen’s clash with Dundee United earlier this month.

McInnes was sent to the stand during his team’s 1-0 Ladbrokes Premiership win at Tannadice after complaining about a goal Madden chopped off.

He has now been charged with breaching the Scottish Football Association’s Disciplinary Rule 203, with the charge stating: “In that on or around the 37th minute of the above match you committed misconduct and used offensive, abusing and insulting language towards the Match Officials.”

Disciplinary chiefs have offered the Pittodrie manager a one-game punishment but he has decided to defend himself against the complaint.

He will now appear before a disciplinary hearing on March 24.

After the match, McInnes revealed he had apologised to both the referee and fourth official Barry Cook but insisted the decision to rule out Paul Dixon’s own goal after Madden pulled play back to book Graeme Shinne for diving during the build-up was wrong.

“I’ve seen the replays and what I felt at the time is what I feel now, the goal should have stood,” said McInnes, whose side now trail leaders Celtic by just a point, having played a game more with Tuesday night’s 2-1 win over Partick Thistle.

“I don’t remember what I said but I apologise for my actions.

“I thought he was wrong and I was probably wrong too. I spoke to Bobby after the game and said sorry.

“I was probably a bit too animated with what I said to the fourth official and I have apologised to him for my part in it. For me, there is nothing wrong with the goal, but obviously the referee has felt there was.”

Dons midfielders Niall McGinn and Barry Robson should be fit to take on Kilmarnock at Pittodrie on Saturday.

McGinn missed Tuesday’s victory with a foot injury, while Robson was forced off in the closing stages having only entered the fray as a substitute with 24 minutes remaining.

Dons boss Derek McInnes.