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‘Quite staggering’ ‘Didn’t meet brutality criteria’ Celtic fans react to SFA’s Flanagan explanation

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More than two weeks after upholding the appeal by Jon Flanagan over a retrospective two match suspension for attacking Scott Brown.

It seems that the SFA have been all over the place with the decision. Referee Kevin Clancy decided that a yellow card was sufficient, the Compliance Officer and three former referees said red with the appeal process reverting back to a yellow card.

With Celtic trailing 1-0 at Ibrox and waiting on a free kick Flanagan decided to wipe out Brown in the middle of the penalty area.

Incredibly Clancy only produced a yellow card but earlier this season he opted out of taking any action against Dolly Menga for head-butting Ryan Christie with the Livingston striker hit with a two match retrospective suspension.

By deciding to back Clancy’s initial decision that a yellow card was the correct punishment a clear message has been sent out to players across Scotland- as long as an act of violence is below neck level they won’t be red carded.

During the course of the season Scott McKenna, Steven MacLean, Menga and Darnel Johnston of Hibs were all retrospectively suspended following attacks on Celtic players missed by match officials.

Celtic are still waiting for the reasoning of John Beaton to be made public following the Glasgow derby at Ibrox in December.

CLICK HERE for SFA explanation.

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