Celtic have branded the SFA completely illogical over the Paul Paton/ Calum Butcher mistaken identity case.
Blundering assistant Graham Chambers identified Paton for a red card to referee Craig Thomson despite racing onto the pitch and taking Butcher aside.
While Paton will appeal against his red card on Thursday Butcher is escaping punishment. Virgil van Dijk was red carded during the same incident and will have his appeal heard at Hampden on Thursday.
Celtic’s statement said: “CELTIC Football Club notes that no action appears to have been taken in relation to Calum Butcher of Dundee United.
“It seems completely illogical and fundamentally unfair that, in an incident where mistaken identity has been claimed, the Dundee United player now identified clearly as being involved in the incident appears to have no case to answer – and would be available to play in the League Cup final and the Scottish Cup replay between the two teams – while Celtic’s player may potentially miss both of those matches.
“Celtic Football Club and Virgil van Dijk maintain their position that no red card offence was committed by Virgil.
“Virgil will appear at Hampden to put his case on Thursday and we will fully support him in this appeal.”
Nadir Ciftci, who is already suspended for the final has been offered a two match suspension for kicking Scott Brown in the face while no action will be taken over claims of simulation against Aidan Connolly.
The SFA haven’t made any comment on the competence of Thomson or Chambers in the Scottish Cup tie- but haven’t confirmed if they will be officiating at the replay a week tomorrow.
