PFA Scotland blast Graeme Shinnie Aberdeen ban and warn SFA that players 'have lost faith in system'

PFA Scotland have backed Graeme Shinnie in the wake of his four game ban and insist players have “lost faith” in the disciplinary system.

Aberdeen were left raging after appealing Shinnie’s red card against Ross County last Friday night as Shinnie’s ban was increased for what was seen as a “frivolous appeal” from the PIttodrie club. They are now without one of their most experienced players until the penultimate game of the season as they look to keep distance between themselves and Hearts in the race for third place.

Now the union that represents players north of the border has weighed in, claiming that they have long held concerns over the “discretionary power" of the judicial panel that reviews appeals, independently of the Scottish FA. A statement read: "PFA Scotland has always been deeply concerned about the discretionary power of the Judicial Panel to add a further game ban to a player’s suspension should he/she lose their appeal.

"It is incumbent on any governing body to ensure that everyone has access to natural justice, win or lose. We feel the aim of this rule, and the appeal fee a club/player must pay, is to discourage players from actually appealing. This is of course very wrong and offends fairness and natural justice, nevertheless the Scottish FA may get its wish; many of our members have lost faith in a system.

"Whatever the opinion of the incident, it is exactly that, a matter of opinion not a question of fact. Remember the referee and his assistant were close to the incident and didn’t deem the tackle to be worthy of a red card at the time.

"On that basis Graeme should be perfectly entitled to appeal without the threat of an extra suspension. How a panel can deem the appeal to be frivolous is worrying.