David Martindale was left disappointed after being sent off towards the end of Livingston’s 4-1 defeat at home to Hibernian for making an offensive gesture – as the Lions manager insists it was made in good faith.
Joel Nouble opened the scoring at the Tony Macaroni Arena before the visitors responded in fine fashion. Elie Youan scored twice before the break, Chris Cadden added a third in the second half and substitute Mykola Kukarevych provided the cherry on top with a late fourth.
Martindale was sent off right at the death and he insists the incident was just one big misunderstanding.
“I’m not going to tell any lies,” he said. “[Hibs goalkeeper David] Marshall asked how long was to go and I shouted back ‘there’s a minute left’ with my middle finger. He laughed, I laughed and I got sent off for making an offensive gesture.
“Marshall grabbed me in the tunnel and asked if I got sent off for that. I said yes, and he said that if I needed him to say anything to please let him know.
“I just said there was a minute left [and gestured] and then I was sent off. If I was to say f*** you then I think that’s a sending off.
“Maybe I let the boys down a wee bit today with that. I never done it in that context, it wasn’t in anger. Marshall and I were both laughing.
“The referee said he didn’t want to send me off and I said ‘but you did’. Surely in that context it is not offensive and that must carry a bit of weight.
“I would argue it wasn’t done in an offensive way. It was a bit of banter with Marshall. He laughed, I laughed and that was it.
“I don’t know [if he will appeal the decision]. I’ll need to get advice on that.”
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