An SFA spokesman has today confirmed that Josh Meekings’ red card was overturned because “the judicial panel was not entitled to determine the matter.”
SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan offered Meekings a one-match ban on Tuesday for deliberately handling the ball to keep Celtic attacker Leigh Griffiths’ header out during the 3-2 semi-final win against the Hoops at Hampden on Sunday, however Caley Thistle disputed the ban and yesterday it was uplifted.
The SFA today issued a statement which read: “Further to the judicial panel hearing yesterday involving Josh Meekings, the panel considered initial submissions from Mr Meekings’ solicitor.
“In particular it was argued by him that under protocol 13.4.1.1 the judicial panel was not entitled to determine the matter. The panel considered that as the incident (but not the actual alleged sending-off offence of handball) had been seen by one or more of the officials it was not entitled to consider the matter further.
“It accordingly dismissed the complaint without any consideration of the merits of the incident or the decision arrived at by the referee.”
Josh Meekings had his retrospective ban for handball in this incident against Celtic overturned by a judicial panel
Josh Meekings: SFA explain decision to clear Caley Thistle defender
