Michael Beale has shared his thoughts on the SPFL’s appeal process as Rangers prepare to face Aberdeen on Sunday.
The 42-year-old was asked for his thoughts on the situation involving Graeme Shinnie, and his response was straight to the point.
What did Michael Beale say?
Well, Aberdeen will be without their No.6 and captain when they welcome Rangers to the Pittodrie Stadium on Sunday, after he received a straight red card in the 1-0 win over Ross County last time out.
Shinnie was initially given a three-game ban, although the SPFL have since extended it to four matches after Aberdeen failed with an appeal.
When asked about the SPFL’s decision and the appeal process in general, Beale said: “I don’t like this idea that you ask a question, and then you get more. The ban is the ban, you’re allowed to ask the question. I don’t think you should be penalised more for asking a question.
“That seems a little bit harsh to me. I wouldn’t want that for one of my players, for example.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Shinnie did make contact with the ball first, so Aberdeen had every right to appeal the decision.
The SPFL are entitled to disagree, but that does not mean Aberdeen and the 31-year-old should be punished for asking.
Of course, some Rangers fans won’t care one bit, given the rivalry between the Gers and Aberdeen, as well as the fact it means Barry Robson is without a key player for the Scottish Premiership clash on Saturday, one who has made 12 appearances since arriving in January.
However, it will only take a similar incident involving a Rangers player for those at Ibrox to universally share the same frustration Aberdeen and Shinnie are currently feeling – as Beale states.
It is a backwards appeal process, and the sooner the SPFL change it, the better.
