Chris Sutton has two words for the SFA’s decision to accept Rob Kiernan’s appeal against a two match ban for punching Steven Anderson- astonishing and pathetic.
After viewing television evidence that showed the referee had missed a punch from the Sevco defender the matter was referred to an Independent Panel appointed by the SFA.
Having viewed the incident various times the Panel came up with the bizarre Scottish notion of not proven- a verdict that isn’t available in UEFA, FIFA or FA disciplinary matters.
In October 2014 Kris Boyd got a similar verdict after head butting a Hibs player with Sutton straight to the point with his assessment.
“There’s only one way to describe the SFA’s decision to overturn Rob Kiernan’s ban after the Rangers appeal- astonishing,” he claimed in the Daily Record.
“The SFA seem to go out of their way to come up with new ways to make themselves look like a laughing stock.
“The SFA have now opened a huge can of worms. It’s going to be really interesting going forward, as by overturning the Kiernan decision they are basically saying that type of behaviour is acceptable.
“Let’s look at the facts. Kiernan blatantly threw a punch at Steven Anderson. The St Johnstonecaptain said as much after the match and the pictures on television were conclusive.
“No one is saying Kiernan threw a haymaker, but it was clear as day he hit out and caught Anderson in the stomach.
“I don’t know what the SFA panel were looking at on their screen but maybe the contrast wasn’t working. What on earth were they thinking?”
Sutton added: “It was an incredible decision but I’ve got to say there wasn’t half some nonsense spouted about it from some people at Rangers.
“Bringing my BT Sport colleague Stephen Craigan in to it was a load of rubbish. Mark Warburton hinted that he felt there was a conflict of interest as the two game ban offered originally meant the defender would miss matches against Stephen’s Motherwell in the league and cup.
“Do me a favour. Are you trying to tell me Craigan knew Kiernan would miss the games with his club when he was simply doing his job and talking about a contentious incident in a match?
“Do Rangers think Stephen walks around with the SPFL fixture list in his pocket? He wouldn’t even have known at that point if or when any hearing might have been, or if there would even be a hearing, never mind what games he could miss.
“It was nonsense to insinuate otherwise. Stephen had his opinion – as did Terry Butcher and myself on the night, as well as everyone else in the country who were watching.”
Kiernan is now free for the back to back fixtures against Motherwell in the Scottish Cup and SPFL.
The incident happened in the match against St Johnstone on December 28 refereed by Crawford Allan. Dick Foster, Paul Paton and Steven MacLean of the homeside were booked with Clint Hill, Jason Holt and Andy Halliday booked for Mark Warburton’s title chasers.
