CELTIC have submitted an appeal to the SFA over the red card shown to Virgil van Dijk during yesterday’s Scottish Cup clash with Dundee United.
The Dutch defender was apparently sent off for violent conduct after a melee in the ninth minute of the tie at Tannadice.
United’s Paul Paton was also red-carded by referee Craig Thomson in the same incident.
But, it was clearly a case of mistaken identity as Calum Butcher was the player who took a series of kicks at the Celtic defender while on the ground. United have also appealed Paton’s dismissal.
The cases will be heard on Thursday. If the appeals fail, both players will be suspended for Sunday’s League Cup final, and the Scottish Cup replay.
Stefan Johansen will also miss the replay as he picked up his second caution of the competition during yesterday’s match.
United defender, Paul Dixon, who was also sent off yesterday for preventing a goal with his arm, will be free to play in Sunday’s Final, but will miss the Scottish Cup replay as this offence is competition specific.
It has yet to be determined whether the SFA will apply the ban for diving rule, only used against Celtic this season. They could also have a look at Dundee United’s goalscorer for his deliberate kick in the head of Celtic captain Scott Brown. What can be expected is that everything possible will be done to assist Dundee United and this narrative was clear on radio broadcasts this evening. The MSM will paint Celtic as culprits and Dundee United as innocents.
