Livingston boss David Martindale admitted giving Hibs captain David Marshall the middle finger - but pleaded his defence by saying it was in good humour.
But referee Chris Graham didn't see the funny side and sent the boss off to cap off a woeful afternoon for the Lions as they went down 4-1 in a clash that also saw Jack Fitzwater sent-off while Ayo Obileye, Stephane Omeonga and Shamal George all picked up injuries.
Martindale even said Marshall told him after the game he'd happily submit a statement in his defence should the Lions appeal their gaffer's red card - which came during a VAR check deep in injury-time.
Martindale said: "I'm not going to tell any lies. The Hibs keeper 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 but come on, is that where were are in football?
"Maybe I let the boys down a wee bit today with that. I never did 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. There's a difference.
"I went in and spoke to him and I get his point of view but I'm going to 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."
"Originally when he was shouting over I was saying 'you better not be asking for more time to be added on. We've already had eight minutes.' Shamal's went down because he thought his thumb was broken and Marshall's ran over to the assistant and I've said something to him, he's laughed back and asked how long's left and I've said a minute left and got sent-off."
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