Five-game ban for Miko

PAUL KIDDIE

THE Scottish Football Association today hammered Hearts playmaker Saulius Mikoliunas with a five-game ban for barging assistant referee Andy Davis.

The Lithuanian, who appeared in person in front of the Disciplinary Committe at Hampden Park this morning, was handed the additional suspension on top of the three-game ban he received for his double red card in the recent league clash with Rangers at Tynecastle.

Mikoliunas confronted the official after the controversial award of an injury-time penalty to Rangers, Fernando Ricksen scoring from the spot to snatch a 2-1 victory. The suspension applies to all football competitions, ruling the young midfielder out of the Jambos’ upcoming Tennent’s Scottish Cup semi-final showdown with Celtic at the National Stadium next month.

Mikoliunas had missed the matches against Dunfermline and Inverness Caley Thistle and was also due to sit out this weekend’s visit of Livingston.

Confirming the punishment, SFA spokesperson Andy Mitchell said today: "The Scottish FA Disciplinary Committee today gave an additional five-match ban to the Heart of Midlothian player, Saulius Mikoliunas, for exceptional misconduct in the recent Scottish Premier League match between Hearts and Rangers.

"The player appeared personally before the committee, who took into account his apology to the match officials. However, a lengthy ban was considered appropriate in view of the serious nature of the offence."

Taken from the Scotsman