The SFA has over-ruled two of their leading officials by rescinding the red card’s issued to Virgil van Dijk and Paul Paton.
Craig Thomson and Graham Chambers were at fault in the Scottish Cup tie between Dundee United and Celtic reducing both side’s down to ten me early in the match and spoiling a showpiece match.
This afternoon after four days of uncertainty both players were successful in their appeals with neither offence warranting even a yellow card.
Thomson and Chambers are among the SFA elite with both men in UEFA action this week, Chambers assisting at the Bayern Munich v Shakhtar Donetsk with Thomson taking charge of the Brugges v Besiktas match tonight after hearing the outcome of today’s appeals.
The news that van Dijk is available is a big boost for Celtic with concerns over the fitness of Kris Commons and Nir Bitton.
After hearing the outcome of the appeal Ronny Deila said: “I am very happy for Virgil and the team. Of course I think it was the right decision. He has been unlucky twice with red cards, the one in Europe (against Inter Milan) was not a right one and this one also wasn’t right.
“So it is very good that he didn’t get any suspension and can play in the final.”
Thomson and Chambers have been dropped from Wednesday’s replay between the two club’s which will be refereed by Calum Murray.
On Saturday Thomson will take charge of Hamilton Accies v Ross County, less than 48 hours after his Europa League appointment with Chambers rested over the weekend.
