Alan Forrest wins Hearts appeal as Steven Naismith slams VAR after string of 'unacceptable' calls

Steven Naismith has taken a furious swipe at VAR after Hearts won their appeal over Alan Forrest’s booking for simulation against Ross County.

The brassed-off Tynecastle boss insists his side were denied a stonewall penalty kick in the 2-2 draw - and claimed it’s one of FOUR instances where his side have been wronged despite video assistant checks this season. Now he wants answers from SFA Head of Referee Operations Crawford Allan.

Forrest was booked in Saturday’s draw with County when he went down under a challenge from Staggies keeper Ross Laidlaw with the scoreline still blank. Despite a VAR check, referee Alan Muir’s original decision to book Forrest stood. But a Hampden fast track tribunal last night upheld Hearts appeal. And Naismith said: “I’m pleased for Alan. You will not meet a more honest player and his reputation has been restored. I am, however, still left bitterly disappointed by the whole situation.

“While we applaud the decision made by the tribunal, it merely confirms what we all knew at the time, that there was no dive and therefore it is not unreasonable to have expected a penalty award, giving us the opportunity to take a step towards winning the game and securing all three points.

“I have long been an advocate of VAR because it should ensure the right decisions are being made. On this occasion, and on others before it - away to Motherwell and at home to St Johnstone – and subsequently only two days ago at Livingston when pictures showed Lawrence Shankland having his jersey pulled over his head inside the opposition’s penalty box, VAR has failed to make the right decision.

“This is simply not acceptable and I will, once again, be seeking an explanation from the Head of Referee Operations as to why