Hearts lose appeal over Maybury as red card is upheld

HEARTS reacted with dismay last night to the SFA’s decision to uphold the sending-off of right-back Alan Maybury in their defeat at Livingston on Saturday.

The failure of the club’s appeal means that Maybury will miss tomorrow night’s SPL clash with Celtic at Parkhead through suspension.

The Irishman was ordered off at Almondvale by referee Dougie McDonald for "violent conduct", a decision that transformed the game and helped Livingston claim a 2-0 victory.

After fouling Livingston’s David Fernandez, Maybury lashed out forcefully at the ball that the Spaniard was clutching in his arms in anticipation of a free-kick.

Hearts coach Craig Levein was only yards away from the incident and maintained that his player had not heard the referee’s whistle, and said that in any case he only intended to strike the ball, and not his opponent.

The Tynecastle club then launched a formal appeal with the SFA, but disciplinary convenor Drew Herbertson confirmed last night: "Hearts’ case was heard at a meeting of the disciplinary committee this afternoon, and was dismissed.

"The club contended that the player was wrongfully dismissed, but the committee ruled that the referee had been right in his decision.

"The club’s reasons for the player’s claim were not supported by the committee. It was a case of violent conduct."

Douglas Dalgleish, the head of communications at Hearts, retorted: "We are very disappointed at the decision not to uphold our appeal.

"We felt that the television evidence showed quite clearly that the player was attempting to kick the ball and not his opponent.

"It is a blow to lose any good player before a Celtic game, but especially one who has come in and done extremely well in his position."

Taken from the Scotsman