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Motherwell seek SFA clarity on refereeing guidelines surrounding ‘excessive force’

Motherwell's Carl McHugh is sent off
Image: Motherwell's Carl McHugh was sent off

Motherwell have contacted the Scottish Football Association to seek clarity on refereeing guidelines surrounding "excessive force" after deciding not to appeal Carl McHugh’s red card against Hearts.

McHugh was dismissed on Saturday for a tackle on Don Cowie but Motherwell have revealed they decided not to appeal the red card as they believed it would be "a waste of the club's time and money".

Scott McDonald's appeal against his dismissal for a foul on Kenny Miller in Motherwell's recent defeat to Rangers was also rejected and the club say they want clarity on what constitutes excessive force after comparing what they believe to be similar incidents in other matches.

Motherwell's Scott McDonald (hands on head) is dismissed for a bad lunge on Kenny Miller
Image: Scott McDonald was shown a red card for his tackle on Kenny Miller

"The club decided not to appeal the red card shown to Carl McHugh on the 53rd minute of last Saturday's match at Fir Park," the statement said.

"The recent experience with Scott McDonald's appeal for a similar sort of offence, with the onus being on the club to prove an obvious refereeing error, convinced management that, although we greatly respect the process and the individuals involved, any further appeal would not only be futile, but also a waste of the club's time and money.

"The club has subsequently written to the Scottish FA's Head of Referee Operations to seek clarity on the guidelines surrounding serious foul play and in particular, 'excessive force'.

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"From a club's point of view, given a fairly broad set of criteria has been issued by the International Football Association Board [IFAB] when judging a challenge during the intensity of a match, it's now so open to individual interpretation by each match official it could and has led to significant inconsistencies across games.

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"A number of challenges in various SPFL Premiership matches [and high profile matches in other major leagues] over the last few weeks would more than meet the criteria both Scott McDonald and Carl McHugh were judged by, and subsequently ordered off for, but only cautions were issued.

"This causes a great deal of confusion and frustration for our playing staff, coaching staff and supporters, and it is making it increasingly difficult to say with any certainty what is and isn't a red card offence when talking about 'excessive force'."

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee
Image: Motherwell manager Mark McGhee was upset with the decision to send off McHugh

Motherwell also revealed that the SFA's head of referee operations had agreed to meet club officials and playing squad.

The statement added: "Everyone involved in football understands that, at times, clubs will be on the end of honest mistakes or incorrect calls, it is part and parcel of the game. In addition, it is also acknowledged and accepted that match officials do not set the laws of the game, only enforce them.

"However, that means they need to be applied consistently across the board and any law or criteria that allows for such a broad scope of individual interpretation is, in Motherwell FC's view, a flawed one.

Hearts' Alexandros Tziolis scores from a deflection
Image: Motherwell lost 3-0 to Hearts

"In addition, the club has also asked for, and has been granted, time with the Scottish FA's Head of Referee Operations to go through with the playing squads some of the recent examples which have merited a red card and those that, for what look like identical offences, have only been issued with a caution to explain what, if any, differences there are and detail fully what IFAB advise when considering excessive force.

"Motherwell FC very much appreciates this time and look forward to that meeting in the coming weeks."

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