Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin has had his eight-game ban from the Scottish FA reduced by three games following an appeal.
On October 6, the Pittodrie boss was hit with an eight-game – six games to be served immediately and two suspended until the end of the season – punishment following his comments about Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous.
After a 3-1 league loss against Hibs, Goodwin accused 23-year-old Porteous of “blatant cheating” in his post-match interview, and also said he had spoken to his players and the referee David Dickinson, about Porteous’ previous conduct, before the game.
During that September 17 Premiership clash at Easter Road, Porteous won a spot-kick, which Martin Boyle scored to make it 1-1, after going down in a challenge with Dons defender Liam Scales.
On-loan Celtic centre-half Scales, 24, was sent off for a second bookable offence, leaving the Reds to play out the rest of the game with 10 men.
The SFA sanction levelled at Goodwin was partially upheld at Monday’s Appellate Tribunal, with the authorities reducing the ban by three games – to three matches to be served immediately, with two matches suspended until the end of the season.
The one game the manager has already served (the 4-0 loss at Dundee United) has been taken into account, so Goodwin will now only sit in the stand for Friday’s home game with Hibs and next Tuesday’s trip to Livingston.
He will be back on the sidelines when United visit Pittodrie on November 12 – the last match before the World Cup break.
What rules did Jim Goodwin breach?
The Aberdeen manager was charged by the SFA for alleged breaches of disciplinary rules 73 and 77, which cover offensive, improper and/or insulting statements and conduct.
Rule 73 says club staff should not make comments which are “offensive”, including in interviews.
Rule 77 says those involved in the game must “act in the best interests of Association Football.
Furthermore, such person or body shall not act in any manner which is improper or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.”
Aberdeen, however, were swift to react to the initial ban and said they would appeal the decision, adding: “After being informed of the decision of the tribunal in today’s disciplinary hearing against Jim Goodwin, the club is extremely disappointed at the level of sanction imposed on Jim and are taking it very seriously.”
The Dons studied the SFA’s explanation for the severity of the ban before launching their appeal to ensure they had as strong a case as possible with which to defend their manager.
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