Disciplinary Action Against St Mirren Manager
The Scottish FA has formally charged St Mirren manager Craig McLeish following public comments regarding referee Sean Murdoch. The charge pertains to a breach of disciplinary rule 72, which prohibits the criticism of match officials in a manner that suggests bias or incompetence.
Sequence of Events
- Match Incident: During a League Cup fixture against Dunfermline, McLeish expressed dissatisfaction regarding a disallowed goal and a late penalty awarded to the opposition.
- Public Commentary: Post-match, McLeish questioned Murdoch’s background, specifically referencing the official’s previous tenure as a goalkeeper for Dunfermline.
- Defense: McLeish subsequently characterized the remarks as a joke, denying any intent to question the official's professional integrity.
- Regulatory Response: The Scottish FA issued a Notice of Complaint. A formal hearing is scheduled for August 27.
Context and Precedent
The Scottish FA has recently enforced rule 72 with increased frequency. Rangers manager Derek McInnes is currently appealing a four-match ban for describing a penalty decision as "disgusting." Similarly, former Motherwell player Elliot Watt received a four-match suspension for labeling a VAR decision the "worst in history," and Motherwell FC was fined £5,000 for social media activity related to the same incident.
Operational Impact
St Mirren has acknowledged the notice and stated they are currently assessing the situation before determining further action. The club is scheduled to begin their Scottish Premiership campaign against Falkirk this Saturday. The outcome of the August 27 hearing will determine if McLeish faces a touchline ban similar to recent precedents set by the governing body.
