SFA bite back at Aberdeen in Graeme Shinnie saga as they claim appeal 'had no prospect of success'

The Scottish FA has released their detailed reasons for not overturning Graeme Shinnie's red card in a response to Aberdeen demanding a new panel for their appeal.

The experienced midfielder was sent off for a foul on Jack Baldwin in last week's Premiership win over Ross County, after a VAR check helped determine he had used excessive force. Aberdeen were unhappy with the call and lodged an appeal, but they soon turned furious when the appeal failed and Shinnie was given a four-game ban instead of three because the appeal was considered to have no chance of success.

They have unsuccessfully moved to get a fresh panel and claim they will seek to bring 'governance change' to remove the rule that allows additional suspension. But the SFA have now lodged their response, detailing: "In the 93rd minute of the Scottish Premiership fixture between Ross County FC and Aberdeen FC on Friday 14th April 2023, the player was dismissed from the field of play by the referee for A1 -serious foul play.

"The claimants submitted a claim of wrongful dismissal on behalf of the player. In support of this claim, the club submitted both video footage and annotated photographs showing the incident in question, in addition to written submissions.

"In order for a claim of wrongful dismissal to be upheld, the Fast Track Tribunal must be satisfied, by way of evidence submitted and upon the balance of probabilities, that the referee made an obvious refereeing error in dismissing the player.

"In summary, the claimant’s written submission was that the player pivots and chases down the loose ball, and prepares to make contact with it, which is at the time no way near to his opponent. He does not lunge in any shape or form, does not engage in any tackle,