The SFA have produced a detailed report into Ryan Christie’s suspension which reveals that only two of the three former match officials believed that the Celtic midfielder was guilty of brutality.
Using the selective transparency that every club has subscribed to the report reveals that Christie took part via a video link and had a legal representative as well as a club official represent him at Monday’s Hampden hearing.
How any reasonable person could conclude that it was a deliberate act is almost beyond explanation but when it comes to governance the SFA are a law onto themselves.
Last season five players (Scott McKenna, Steven MacLean, Dolly Menga, Ryan Kent and Darnell Johnson) were given retrospective red cards for incidents missed in matches against Celtic with no known punishment given to the referees involved.
Similarly, John Beaton witnessed Alfredo Morelos lash out at Christie, Scott Brown and Tony Ralston in December 2018, this season Beaton has had three Celtic matches and also refereed in the Europa League.
Explaining their punishment, the Report states:
The submission of the Compliance Officer was that the Alleged Party deliberately committed a violent act whereby he struck an opponent in the groin, with excessive force when not challenging for the ball. It was submitted that this was not a reflex action or an unintended consequence. It was advised that this constituted an act of violent conduct, an (A2) sending off offence.
The match officials all confirmed that they did not see the alleged act at the material time. Given the sensitivity of the area of the body targeted by the Alleged Party, the Compliance Officer categorised the act as one involving brutality and also submitted that this was manifestly apparent from the video footage available of the incident.
The three former match officials, following a review of the video footage had each separately confirmed that the alleged act amounted to a sending off offence for violent conduct. Two of these former match officials believed that brutality was also evident.
Kevin Clancy gave a free kick for the incident that he didn’t see.
No action has been taken against Morelos for his slit throat gesture at Celtic fans after being red carded. No action was taken against Morelos for raking his studs down the Achilles of Chris Jullien at the League Cup Final. No action was taken against Morelos for deliberately stamping on Jullien’s foot as he waited for a free kick during the September Glasgow derby.
In March the SFA are expected to select a player guilty of deliberate brutality for the Euro 2020 Play Off semi-final v Israel.
Determination from Scottish FA regards Ryan Christie Notice of Complaint.
Match officials didn’t see incident? Kevin Clancy gives free kick????
Violent Conduct as Christie wasn’t challenging for ball? Christie challenges for ball & Morelos dinks ball past, all same phase of play pic.twitter.com/XCrzNLlvIN
— Derek Crothers (@deaks1ey) January 10, 2020
