Celtic are set to blast the Scottish FA for glaring inconsistencies in the way discipline is handled in the wake of derbies against Rangers, The Daily Record report.
Ryan Christie was handed a two-game ban for ‘violent conduct’ after he was adjudged to have grabbed Ibrox striker Alfredo Morelos’ genitals during last Sunday’s defeat at Celtic Park.
For many of a Celtic persuasion it was a ridiculous decision from the Hampden decision-makers, with captain Scott Brown branding it ‘laughable’ this week (Daily Record).
The paper says that the Scottish champions will now present a list of prior incidents they feel Rangers were let off lightly for and are ready to give the SFA ‘both barrels’, taking issue with the way compliance officer Clare Whyte implements disciplinary procedures.
That list will include Ryan Kent lashing out at Scott Brown last year and Anthony Ralston being stamped on by Morelos, as well as another incident involving the forward and Christie.
A source told The Record: “The official line from the SFA is that the referee saw all of those incidents at the time while Kevin Clancy didn’t see what happened between Christie and Morelos which is why it has been dealt with retrospectively.
“But when supporters see these kind of inconsistencies it’s no wonder they struggle to understand what’s going on.”
Not much is likely to change
The decision to ban Christie is no doubt ridiculous and it is a consistency that everyone is looking for.
Celtic are entitled to point out problems with the disciplinary system but not much is likely to change as a result of the club listing off gripes they have with previous incidents in derbies.
The clubs all vote on the way discipline is handled and although no side in Scotland seems happy with the way the governing body go about their post-match compliance procedures, nothing will change until the SFA members look for an upheaval in how that is handled.
Does the compliance officer system need to be reviewed? If Celtic feel it does then they should say so and try to bring change with a bit of public pressure.
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