Report: Club hold failed SFA talks about Celtic fixture after decision left them "shocked"

By David Walton

November 23, 2021

Aberdeen have failed to overturn Funso Ojo’s red card picked up at Celtic Park last week, the Daily Record reports.

Ojo was incredibly sent off after picking up a second yellow for confronting a Dundee United supporter that aggressively pushed him when his momentum took him off the pitch. Ojo didn’t physically touch the supporter.

Aberdeen released a statement on Sunday night claiming that they were both “shocked” and “appalled” by the decision made by Bobby Madden to send Ojo off. Dons chairman Dave Cormack stated that he hoped the “injustice is addressed”.

However, after talks with the SFA, the Record has reported that the player’s red card can’t be overturned. This due to FIFA regulations that state a second yellow can only be overturned in the cases of mistaken identity or simulation.

That means Ojo will definitely miss Sunday’s trip to Celtic Park. With Aberdeen struggling for form once more, it’s certainly an issue they could do without.

The Englishman has started all but 3 of Aberdeen’s games this season [Transfermarkt].

Aberdeen once again all over the place ahead of Celtic Park trip

There was a time earlier on in the season when Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass was under real pressure after a prolonged winless run. However, some positive results against the likes of Rangers and Hearts had Dons fans dreaming of things being turned around.

Unfortunately, it’s starting to look bleak for them once again. Defeats to Motherwell and Dundee United have taken the sting out of them. They come to Celtic Park battered and bruised once more, with Glass back under mounting pressure from his own supporters.

Losing one of his trusted midfield lieutenants isn’t the kind of preparation he would’ve liked for this one. Even if Lewis Ferguson is due to return from suspension at the weekend.

In a way, you can’t not feel sorry for them. The red card for Ojo was a disgraceful decision, and it’s incredible to see that common sense isn’t being allowed to prevail. That suggests a wider issue with the rules and regulations of the game that need to be explored.

It was always going to be a potentially insurmountable task for the Dons in any case. There aren’t many that will fancy coming to Celtic Park with the form of Ange Postecoglou’s team.

But Aberdeen have certainly arrived in better shape and been pounded in the past. Things don’t look great for them, even if we’re in Europa League action on Thursday night.

In other news, Report: Brilliant Tom Rogic and Carl Starfelt update for Celtic supporters