Kilmarnock's Steve Clarke bemoans 'inconsistent' disciplinary decisions
Clarke confirms Jordan Jones will remain at Rugby Park until summer, ahead of joining Rangers on pre-contract agreement
Thursday 31 January 2019 12:10, UK
Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke has bemoaned the “inconsistency” shown over disciplinary decisions in Scottish football.
Kris Boyd saw his appeal against the red card he received during Saturday's 0-0 draw at Aberdeen dismissed on Wednesday and the striker will now serve a two-game ban.
Clarke criticised the Scottish FA in August after an appeal against a red card awarded to Gary Dicker was also rejected and he then also suggested in a strongly worded statement "smaller clubs" like Kilmarnock were being unfairly treated in comparison with their counterparts.
Criticism of officials and the SFA's disciplinary process has been widespread during the season so far.
"I have got to be careful what I say because I have got a two-game suspended sentence hanging over my head," Clarke said ahead of the club's home fixture against Hearts on Friday.
"I think I said what I had to say in August. I think what I had to say in August has been born true over the whole season. I think this is just another example of inconsistency; decisions on the pitch, the appeals procedure. It is very difficult to work out."
The SFA held a summit earlier in January where several top-flight managers met with referees from the Scottish Premiership but Clarke, who wasn't present, isn't convinced there will be change.
"I am not sure why all the onus has been put onto the managers to change things," he said. "It is up to the authorities, referees and the referees' associations, who are in charge of the disciplinary.
"They have to change it, they have to make it better. We don't get paid to change it. People get paid to do that - they should change it."
Clarke insisted Jordan Jones, who signed a pre-contract deal to join Rangers in the summer, would not leave Rugby Park this month, despite suggestion Steven Gerrard's side could move to bring the winger to Ibrox during this window.
Kilmarnock, who are third in the Scottish Premiership, will also lay a new artificial pitch this summer and Clarke admitted the club's decision not to revert to a grass surface for next term was for financial reasons.
