www.pfascotland.co.uk APPEALS PROCEDURE
One of the key roles played by PFA Scotland is to be the players’ voice when dealing with collective issues such as alterations to the standard contract or disciplinary regulations. If league reconstruction takes place PFA Scotland will be involved in discussions with the governing bodies to ensure that certain standards are kept to such as the UEFA minimum requirements for contracts. Recently Fraser Wishart attended a meeting to discuss topics relating to the Judicial Panel Protocol, representing your interests as players. Whilst it can be difficult to move any of our proposals forward due to the fact that Fraser was one of around 15 at the meeting, many of whom represent referees and the SFA, good progress was made.
Amongst the topics open for discussion was the use of video evidence for retrospective punishment for serious foul play. The Ryan Stevenson case in the Edinburgh derby was a case in point where the referee saw the incident but was not able to see the tackle due to his positioning. There
is a view that this may well be re-refereeing the match and that only in circumstances where the referee clearly has no view of the incident should video evidence be used.
The issue of red card appeal fees being too high was also discussed. It is PFA Scotland’s view that there should be no appeal fee, however if that has to remain this should be lowered. We feel that players are being denied access to justice because clubs understandably in this financial climate are not prepared to lodge an appeal fee with the chance that it is lost if the appeal is dismissed.
Other subjects included the possibility of appealing yellow cards, appeal for yellow cards for simulation only and competition specific suspensions for red cards. With two Scottish Cup semi-finals looming, a situation may occur whereby a player sent off for serious foul play will serve his suspension in the league and be able to play in the cup final whilst a player sent off for two yellow cards will be suspended for the final.
Discussion took place around retrospective punishment for simulation and whether it
should be used when simulation results in a red card for an opponent, a penalty or a significant advantage being gained. Whilst we have reservations about dealing with the issue of simulation, a yellow card offence, by way of a two match ban retrospectively the Scottish FA retains its firm stance on this matter. It is our opinion therefore that players should have the right to appeal a yellow card for simulation. Further discussions within a smaller working group will take place with a view to progressing many of the points made and we welcome this opportunity to play our part. One change that will be made is that from next season contractual and employment dispute appeals will be heard by an independent panel, with players able to choose a member of the panel. Previously the process was that the Judicial Panel itself would hear an appeal with pot luck as to who had risen to the top of the panel list at that particular time.
As always any player with points to make or requiring further information should contact our head office.
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