Days before the first Glasgow derby of the season it has been revealed that the SFA can’t take retrospective action for players making gestures at supporters.
Josh Windass seemed in line for a suspension after a hand gesture made at Partick Thistle fans on Friday night.
Yesterday it emerged that Windass wouldn’t face any action despite players being suspended previously for gestures made to their own fans.
Explaining the development The Scotsman reports: “However, it has emerged that, after the involvement of PFA Scotland and the Coaches and Managers Association, rule 200 – which covers retrospective action for on-field offences – was amended to remove gestures and actions towards the crowd.
An SFA spokesman said: “The only cause for retrospective action now is for violent conduct, serious foul play or spitting missed by the match officials.”
There was the possibility that Tony McGlennan, the compliance officer, could have used rule 202 which covers “excessive misconduct” if he wished to cite Windass but he decided it was not merited.”
With confirmation that no retrospective action can be taken players now know that as long as they aren’t spotted at the time there will be no consequences to any misdemeanour’s.
Windass is free to play in tonight’s League Cup tie against Partick Thistle and in Saturday’s derby clash at Ibrox.
So far there has been no message about additional security measures for Saturday’s game.
In the last meeting between the clubs one fan was able to walk out of the Sandy Jardine Stand to attack Scott Brown with minimal interference from stewards or police, Scott Sinclair was subjected to racist abuse and missiles including a large square battery was thrown at Celtic players.
After that game in April there was no statement or comment from the SFA or SPFL.
