Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has branded the Scottish FA’s appeals panel incompetent after they decided not to overturn Mikey Devlin’s red card.
Devlin was dismissed for an alleged foul on Kilmarnock’s Eamonn Brophy just four minutes into their game, with the Dons angered by referee Craig Thomson’s decision.
They promptly appealed to the SFA in a bid to have the ban overturned but the appeal was denied, meaning Devlin is ruled out of this week’s game against St Johnstone.
McInnes believes any faith in the system has been undermined by some recent “baffling” decisions. Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor escaped a ban for kicking out at Kristoffer Ajer and Steven Naismith likewise for doing similar to Jonny Hayes. Killie’s Gary Dicker’s red card against Hearts was upheld and prompted fierce criticism from Steve Clarke, while Alfredo Morelos had his red card, for lashing out at Scott McKenna on the opening day of the season, overturned.
McInnes said: “Managers have a vested interest as we do in Mikey’s case but supporters, journalists and people in the game are of the same opinion that we’re all baffled by some of these decisions.
“Every club is punished or shown leeway at certain times but for me it is the incompetence of these panels and it really puts them into question when you see the outcomes of these decisions.
“It really angers me and saddens me that we can’t come to what I feel was the only verdict. Referees make mistakes and we have been victims of some of them in the last couple of games but we accept that.
“For me, the panel is there to assist the clubs and the referees and when decisions still go against you after you think you’ve made your case well it adds to the frustration and I’m staggered at some of the decisions which have been made recently.
“These processes are almost like VAR after the event so we can get to the right conclusion as we all accept referees make mistake but I cannot understand for the life of me why Mikey being fouled in the first place and the fact Shay Logan has got round and is covering that an opportunity has been missed to make the right decision.
“It’s nothing about bias and I want to make it clear I don’t see that being shown towards any club.”
Devlin’s suspension leaves the Dons short at the back, with Mark Reynolds and Tommie Hoban out injured long-term and McKenna in a race to be fit following a hamstring injury.