At times it seems as though the SFA’s disciplinary procedures are run like a secret society with reasoning incomprehensible to outsiders.
The arguments over the fast-track appeals panel’s upholding of red cards to Aberdeen’s Mikey Devlin, pictured, and Kilmarnock’s Gary Dicker, as well as Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos having a once-blatant red reduced to a yellow have brought this sharply into view.
There was also the issue of a panel of ex-grade-one referees failing to see the need for action against Gers keeper Allan McGregor for a blatant kick-out at Celtic’s Kristoffer Ajer.
The reasons for these decisions have been so murky, every decision in the Scottish game, from referees or the subsequent panels, is now up for debate.
One thing which needs to be sorted out is the new uncertainty which has been created around incidents of violent conduct or attempted violent conduct – they should always be sending offs.
The Dons called for VAR to help referees make right calls on the pitch, but the appeals panels already have it.
With the Devlin red, they could spend a whole day watching it again and again from all angles – and they still got the call wrong. Clarity is needed urgently.
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