Aberdeen to spearhead calls for SFA protocol review as Shinnie appeal process leaves thirst for legislation revamp

Aberdeen will lead the calls for a complete review of the SFA’s judicial panel protocol after their request to have Graeme Shinnie’s four-match ban looked at again was dismissed.

Pittodrie chiefs were left furious this week when an independent tribunal rejected their appeal against Shinnie’s red card at Ross County and then increased his suspension by another game. Pittodrie officials went back to the SFA and asked for a reappeal to be reheard by a fresh panel but that has been dismissed.

Shinnie will now be suspended for tomorrow’s game with Rangers and three matches after the Premiership split. The Dons have already received the backing of PFA Scotland and support from other clubs this week over the Shinnie decision, with Rangers’ Michael Beale and Motherwell’s Stuart Kettlewell among those to empathise with their plight. Aberdeen and several other clubs feel that the JPP – which heard the Shinnie case – and a lot of its legislation needs to be radically changed and modernised.

A Dons statement confirmed: “We have taken the temperature of several Premiership clubs and will now proactively work with clubs and the Scottish FA to bring about sensible and positive governance changes for the benefit of Scottish football.”

The SFA last night revealed they knocked back the Dons’ demand because it “had no prospect of success”. Aberdeen legend Joe Harper said: “I was left in stunned disbelief when Shinnie was hit with an extra game because the independent appeals tribunal deemed the red card appeal frivolous with no chance of success.

“Frivolous? Really. The sheer arrogance to suggest that is infuriating. Due to the so-called frivolous nature of the appeal, a further game was slapped on for good measure, taking it from