SFA troll Peter Lawwell with disorderly fine

The SFA have hit Celtic with a £4,000 fine on the back of Alan Muir’s inability to judge what is a penalty.

During the Scottish Cup tie with Partick Thistle last month James Penrice pushed over Jeremie Frimpong with Muir waving play-on. In the closing minutes of the match the same Celtic player made a perfectly timed tackle to prevent Thistle from pulling a goal back.

Some Celtic players questioned Muir about the decision which resulted in the charge of failing to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion.

In September 2017 Celtic went public with correspondence relating to their concerns about the 2011 UEFA licence awarded to Rangers. Last June SFA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell said that he didn’t want the matter to drag on, more than two years later Celtic are still waiting for a decision.

Successfully negotiating the 2012/13 Champions League qualifiers, at the time two matches, added £20m onto Celtic’s turnover.

Last month Celtic stated that they would be contacting the SFA regarding their concerns over a two match suspension over an ‘Act of Brutality’ by Ryan Christie.

With those issues unresolved the SFA have today fined Celtic £4,000.

In a lengthy website statement the SFA explained:

Match: Partick Thistle FC v Celtic FC

Date: Saturday 18 January 2020

Competition: Scottish Cup

Disciplinary Rule allegedly breached: Disciplinary Rule 204 – All Clubs and recognised football bodies shall procure that its officials, Team Staff, employees and players conduct themselves in an orderly fashion at all times during and/or after a match. In particular, Clubs and recognised football bodies are responsible for ensuring that its officials, Team Staff, employees and players refrain from any one or a combination of the following: (a) becoming involved in a confrontation (b) conduct that is likely to lead to or to exacerbate or prolong a hostile or argumentative situation with players and/or team staff from the opposing team and/or match officials (c) conduct that may otherwise incite disorder.

(Penrice v Frimpong 2 min 10 seconds)

Charge 2:

Match: Hamilton Academical FC v Celtic FC

Date: Sunday 2 February 2020

Competition: Scottish Premiership

Disciplinary Rule allegedly breached: Disciplinary Rule 204 – All Clubs and recognised football bodies shall procure that its officials, Team Staff, employees and players conduct themselves in an orderly fashion at all times during and/or after a match. In particular, Clubs and recognised football bodies are responsible for ensuring that its officials, Team Staff, employees and players refrain from any one or a combination of the following: (a) becoming involved in a confrontation (b) conduct that is likely to lead to or to exacerbate or prolong a hostile or argumentative situation with players and/or team staff from the opposing team and/or match officials (c) conduct that may otherwise incite disorder.

Principal hearing date: Thursday 20 February 2020

Outcome:

Charge 1 – Proved under deletion

Sanction – £4000 fine

Charge 2 – Not Proved

Next month the SFA are expected to name Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Leigh Griffiths and Greg Taylor in their squad for the Euro 2020 Play Off semi-final against Israel.