Motherwell midfielder Callum Slattery has received a retrospective four-game ban for simulation that resulted in a red card for St Mirren defender Richard King.
King was dismissed when Slattery fell to the ground in the second half of Motherwell’s 5-0 win in Paisley last month.
Referee Calum Scott was told about the incident by one of his assistants and when the red card was issued for violent conduct, VAR did not intervene to overturn the decision despite an apparent lack of contact.
King’s red card was later rescinded on appeal, and Motherwell have hit out at a four-game ban for Slattery, two of which are suspended, after he was cited by the Scottish FA’s compliance officer.
The club say “a third layer of refereeing has now been implemented” and insist “poor quality” cameras mean there is not conclusive evidence King’s arm did not touch Slattery’s face.
“This is the first incident in Scottish football where a player has received a match suspension via retrospective action for inappropriate behaviour,” Motherwell claimed in a statement.
“And we question why this incident meets the criteria, yet countless others don’t.
“All clubs have witnessed similar incidents in games, which haven’t resulted in retrospective bans; therefore, we will watch and expect consistency going forward so that Callum isn’t treated differently to others.”
