The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Caley Thistle left furious as Keatings ban is upheld.
ICT: Striker to miss final as club says panel brought game ‘into disrepute’
Caley Thistle have criticised the Scottish FA’s disciplinary panel – insisting they do not understand football if they believe James Keatings deserved his red card against Rangers Colts.
The club are “incredulous and furious” at the decision by the three-man panel who, after viewing video evidence, opted not to overturn Keatings’s dismissal.
Keatings was given a second yellow by referee Greg Aitken for simulation in the second half of the Challenge Cup semifinal.
However, replays showed contact between Keatings and Rangers midfielder Ciaran Dickson prior to him going down.
Inverness hoped this would see the dismissal overturned, which would allow Keatings to play in the March final against Raith. But with the decision yesterday to uphold Aitken’s original decision the Caley Jags felt compelled to speak out, adding the disciplinary system is wrong and damages the national game.
The statement read: “As far as we were concerned, once the three-man panel viewed the video evidence justice and sporting integrity would surely prevail.
“When the club was given the news that the appeal had not only be dismissed but that James had in fact been adjudged to have committed simulation, we were both incredulous and furious in equal measure. We once again reiterate that we do not want to call into question anyone’s integrity with this statement but we must call into question the actual football knowledge of those sitting in judgement on all Scottish football players under this current system.
“If the individuals involved in this morning’s tribunal can watch the footage we supplied, footage which the whole of Scottish football has now seen, and call this simulation then there can be no other conclusion other than they do not understand football or the rules of the game. Fans and officials of all clubs are mystified by this decision.”
The statement continued: “This decision has cost our player the chance to play in a national cup final – not something that comes along every week. (It is) to the detriment of the player, his teammates, the club and our fans. We believe it also damages the credibility of our governing body and brings the game into disrepute. The decision is plainly wrong and the dogs in the street know this. We have no right to appeal this final decision and it is painful to accept. As a club we have been contacted by chairmen, chief executives, directors and fans of other clubs in a show of support and solidarity with James Keatings and the club.
“As appreciated as this has been, it does not change the fact that there is clearly something wrong with the system.
“If it is not addressed, we are all responsible for the continuing denigration of our standards, the view our supporters take of the national game and sporting integrity in Scottish football.”
Caley Thistle won Sunday’s game 2-1, with Keatings scoring their equaliser at the end of the first half.
“The decision is plainly wrong – the dogs in the street know this”