Caley Thistle manager John Hughes will be banned from the dugout for tomorrow’s Premiership game at Motherwell after claiming referee Andrew Dallas was not ready for the top flight.
Hughes, pictured, was punished by an SFA disciplinary tribunal after he admitted criticising the performance of Dallas in the 1-1 draw against Dundee on August 29.
Caley Jags had the option of appealing the verdict by 5pm this evening in order for Hughes to take his place in the dug-out at Fir Park, but the club yesterday confirmed it has accepted the punishment.
A further one-game ban was suspended until the end of the season after Hughes had been cited by SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan following the draw at Dens Park when he said: “I thought the referee’s decision-making was poor and he brought a real edge and nervousness to the game.
“In my opinion he is not ready for the Scottish Premiership. One day he might be but on that performance? Definitely not.”
The outcome means Hughes’ assistant, Brian Rice, will be in charge of touchline duties tomorrow.
The case took place yesterday at the third time of asking. It had originally been scheduled for October 1, but Hughes was granted a postponement after it coincided with a dental appointment.
The case was delayed for a second time on October 22, before eventually being heard yesterday.
Hughes was also charged with “criticising the performance of the referee in such a way as to indicate incompetence on his part” in a television interview, however this breach was not proven.