Rangers boss Walter Smith appears to have aimed some criticism at the SFA over Kevin Thompson’s failed appeal after being sent off against St Mirren.
Smith is smart enough to say the right phrases without overstepping the mark knowing that his audience and the public in general can read between the lines.
Crucial to today’s comments is the phrase ‘I’m happy, as long as, in the future, every club is dealt with in the same manner.
“By that I mean when an appeal goes in, they will have an answer within minutes.”
The rules and workings of the SFA can be a bit of a mystery at times but when it comes to discipline there are a few clear matters.
The crucial difference is between incidents disciplined by the match referee or others drawn to the attention of the mysterious, secrative Review Panel.
Any club can appeal against a red card issued during a match
Last season Stuart Dougal recognised his error in sending off Madjid Bougherra for a reckless lunge on Aberdeen goalkeeper Jamie Langfield. The appeal was upheld and Bougherra was made available for Rangers game at Dundee United.
Celtic attempted to appeal Scott Brown’s red card at Ibrox last month, they made their appeal on the same day as the red card. Before their next match the appeal was rejected.
With orderings off the SFA give a verdict before the next match regardless of whether the ‘appealing’ clubs appeals on the day of the decision or just minutes before closing time at the SFA on the next match day.
Less transparent is the mysterious Review Panel. In successive games last season Celtic’s Glenn Loovens and Scott McDonald had incidents put in front of the Review Panel.
The case against McDonald was dismissed however Loovens was given a one match ban which Celtic appealed.
That appeal was dismissed four months after the incident prompting Celtic to publically ask the SFA for clarification on the Review Panel.
To date it is unclear if the club has received an answer with reports that Morten Rasmussen and Kilmarnock’s Fraser Wright have been reported to the Review Panel further clouding the issue.
Clarity from the SFA and bringing disciplinary matters into the 21st century would be welcome, a Review Panel meeting at Hampden every Monday morning to look through all SPL matches would do a lot to remove suspicions.