Hearts manager Craig Levein has hit out at the SFA over the bans meted out after Sunday’s Old Firm, as quoted by the Daily Record.
Following Alfredo Morelos’ first-half dismissal and Andy Halliday’s red after the final whistle, further sanctions were given over the course of this week.
Ryan Kent was retrospectively banned for violent conduct and Steven Gerrard handed a touchline ban [Sky Sports].
Furthermore, both the Old Firm were hit with one blanket charge. The
Ahead of this weekend’s Edinburgh derby, Levein was asked to comment on the Old Firm fallout.
“We have to be very careful that we don’t sanitise the football in Scotland so much that it becomes what the supporters don’t want to see”, he said, as quoted by
“In Scottish football, people want to see competitive edge in the games and I think the compliance officer is in a hurry sometimes to dilute that.
“I don’t think it’s necessary.”
Verdict
For once, it’s encouraging to see a rival manager not sticking the boot into Rangers.
The fallout from Sunday has been over the top. There’s no doubt about that.
Passions are always going to run high on derby day.
While the club and some fans felt hard done by with Ryan Kent, he was always going to be punished for lashing out.
Yet, the charges for failing to control the players are patently ridiculous. When even Levein thinks Rangers have been wronged, you know there’s been a howler!
