Aberdeen have demanded a fresh SFA review of Graeme Shinnie's red card appeal with a new panel after the midfielder was hit with an extended ban.
The midfielder saw red card following a VAR review after his challenge on Ross County's Jack Baldwin was deemed to have used excessive force. Aberdeen boss Barry Robson and several pundits have been critical of the decision from the officials, but the SFA opted to stand by the sending off and the suspension was increased to 4 games after an appeal by the Hampden chiefs.
Aberdeen have now unleashed on the SFA in a scathing statement, reading: "In the cold light of day, we very carefully considered the decision to appeal Graeme Shinnie’s red card at last Friday’s game against Ross County. We eventually decided to appeal in the belief that it had merit and a chance of success after watching the footage numerous times, listening to the various professional pundits on the matter and discussing it with the player and the manager.
"In setting out our appeal, we also reviewed similar tackles in the Scottish Premiership in the last six months where at least two players, who have unintentionally caught an opponent in the follow through of a tackle and were red-carded after VAR reviews, have had their ban over-turned on appeal and their suspensions quashed. Each appeal is heard on its own merits, which means that no prior case/appeal decisions are considered.
"The legal system for hundreds of years has used and relied upon prior cases as evidence. We believe that the omission of these key prior appeal findings will continue to affect consistency of decision-making.
"Scottish FA rules prohibit us from commenting publicly on such decisions, but having been accused of presenting a frivolous appeal our supporters need to know that this is not only insulting to the club but grossly unfair and entirely untrue.
"To add a further match ban seems ridiculously harsh and unnecessary. We are publicly asking the Scottish FA to urgently review our appeal with a new panel."
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