THE SFA have revealed the ‘brutality’ of Ryan Christie swiping Alfredo Morelos in the privates is partly why they handed him a ban – but only two of three former match officials agreed.
The Celtic star, 24, was hit with the suspension earlier this week over the incident with the Rangers star in last month’s Old Firm clash.
Christie will now miss three matches – two for the offence and a third for it being his second red card of the season.
But the SFA have now published their reasoning behind their decision on their website, citing the Hoops ace’s “brutality”.
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However, while all three former match officials on the tribunal said the incident amounted to a red-card offence, only two agreed that brutality was evident.
The SFA’s statement said: “The submission of the Compliance Officer was that the Alleged Party deliberately committed a violent act whereby he struck an opponent in the groin, with excessive force when not challenging for the ball.
“It was submitted that this was not a reflex action or an unintended consequence. It was advised that this constituted an act of violent conduct, an (A2) sending off offence.
“The match officials all confirmed that they did not see the alleged act at the material time.
“Given the sensitivity of the area of the body targeted by the Alleged Party, the Compliance Officer categorised the act as one involving brutality and also submitted that this was manifestly apparent from the video footage available of the incident.
“The three former match officials, following a review of the video footage had each separately confirmed that the alleged act amounted to a sending off offence for violent conduct.
“Two of these former match officials believed that brutality was also evident.
“In the foregoing circumstances, the Compliance Officer submitted that Disciplinary Rule 200 had been breached and the Alleged Party in Breach should be sanctioned accordingly.”
After the SFA served Christie with a notice of complaint over the incident last week, Celtic vowed to defend him vigorously.
In their reasons for their decision, the SFA confirmed that while the Hoops did not make written submissions or provide video evidence on behalf of the midfielder, they did raise issues before the tribunal moved forward.
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They said: “Two preliminary matters were raised on behalf of the Alleged Party in Breach.
“Firstly, issue was taken with the merits of the available video footage and whether this video evidence was competent.
“Secondly, and somewhat linked to the first preliminary matter, the fact that the specific element of the physical act constituting a breach of Disciplinary Rule 200 that was unseen by the match officials was disputed by the Alleged Party in Breach, also raised competency concerns for the specification of the breach made in the Notice of Complaint.
“After careful consideration of these preliminary matters, it was decided that the Tribunal could apply its discretion, interpret the video footage and either accept, reject or rely on any part of it as appropriate whilst considering all available evidence (including that of the three former match officials) in accordance with Judicial Panel Protocol 10.10.6.
“Consequently, the video footage was accepted as competent in terms of Judicial Panel Protocol 13.2.2.”
After the SFA confirmed Christie’s ban this week, Celtic hit out at them in a strong-worded statement.
They called for a “disciplinary process which is fair, consistent and fit for purpose”, and said they would contact the SFA regarding their concerns.
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