Fraser Fyvie is adamant former team-mate and close friend James Keatings should be free to play in the Challenge Cup final.
Like most of Scottish football, Cove Rangers midfielder Fyvie was shocked to see Keatings first sent off against Rangers colts for simulation and then for the Scottish FA not to overturn the incorrect decision.
Keatings may get a reprieve and be able to play for Caley Thistle in the final against Raith Rovers next month. A shock SFA statement on Saturday admitted one of their three judicial panel members, who were adjudicating on the Caley Jags appeal, did not review all the available evidence prior to making their decision.
Universal uproar across the Scottish football landscape greeted the governing body’s decision to uphold referee Greg Aitken’s call on Wednesday. But, with this information brought to light at the weekend, a new panel will be convened to review Inverness’ plea again.
Fyvie, who played with Keatings at Dundee United and Hibernian, had been in contact with his ex-colleague during his tumultuous week. He sees no reason why he should be banned from the final and pointed to how the case would have been dealt with had Celtic skipper Scott Brown been the man at the centre of it.
He said: “Whoever is making that decision needs to review it again. I think everyone in Scotland realises he should get to play in the final. To take that away from somebody is not on, in my opinion.
“I’ve spoke to James about it. I’m good pals with him and we keep in contact. He’s obviously gutted about it but it’s something that definitely should be looked at.
“I think every club should support that because if it was them – for example if it was Scott Brown and he was missing a final, it would make it a bigger thing, which is understandable. But it’s got to be the same across the board.
“For me, he’s got to play in the final. It’s a foul, it’s never a yellow card for diving. That needs to be changed and let the boy play in the final.”
Keatings was in action on Friday night for Inverness, playing the 90 minutes back at Tannadice in a 2-1 defeat.
Both he and Fyvie signed for Hibernian in 2015 on two-year deals and won the Scottish Cup together in 2016. They were reunited back at United a year later, before Keatings went on to Hamilton Accies and later Inverness.
Fyvie added: “He’s not a tackler, he’s not a diver. He’s a very honest player. You don’t get many honest strikers. He’s a strong wee lad but the guy has come across him, hit him and he’s gone down. How can you get booked for that?
“It’s got to be reviewed again and let the boy play in the final. He scores goals and he’s a good player for Inverness.”