'Shocked' Aberdeen challenge failed Shinnie appeal

3 years ago 46

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A "shocked" Aberdeen have asked for a further review after their appeal against Graeme Shinnie's red card against Ross County was thrown out.

The 31-year-old midfielder also had his suspension increased from three games to four by a Scottish FA tribunal.

It can do so if it thinks an appeal has no prospect of success, is a delaying tactic, or is frivolous.

"We are publicly asking the Scottish FA to urgently review our appeal with a new panel," the club website stated.

"Scottish FA rules prohibit us from commenting publicly on such decisions, but having been accused of presenting a frivolous appeal, our supporters need to know that this is not only insulting to the club but grossly unfair and entirely untrue. To add a further match ban seems ridiculously harsh and unnecessary."

Referee Euan Anderson had been called to the pitch-side monitor by VAR officials to review Shinnie's tackle on County defender Jack Baldwin on Friday and, after reviewing the evidence, sent off the midfielder.

"We eventually decided to appeal in the belief that it had merit and a chance of success after watching the footage numerous times, listening to the various professional pundits on the matter and discussing it with the player and the manager," Aberdeen say.

"In setting out our appeal, we also reviewed similar tackles in the Scottish Premiership in the last six months where at least two players who have unintentionally caught an opponent in the follow through of a tackle and were red-carded after VAR reviews have had their ban overturned on appeal and their suspensions quashed.

"Each appeal is heard on its own merits, which means that no prior case/appeal decisions are considered.

"The legal system for hundreds of years has used and relied upon prior cases as evidence. We believe that the omission of these key prior appeal findings will continue to affect consistency of decision-making."

The game in Dingwall was Shinnie's first back from suspension, the midfielder having been sent off for the first time in his career for two yellow card offences in the win over St Johnstone earlier this month.

Former top referee Stuart Dougal told BBC Scotland's The VARdict: "There is enough in that challenge, if the referee has not seen it, to merit getting the referee across to look at it again.

"If I was refereeing that game, that's a red card all day long. For those who don't think it is a red card all day long, they have to move with the times."

Aberdeen