Motherwell boss Mark McGhee charged with misconduct for clash with match officials at Aberdeen
Tuesday 21 February 2017 16:58, UK
Motherwell manager Mark McGhee has been charged with misconduct by the SFA for his behaviour towards match officials in the recent game at Aberdeen.
The Scotland assistant manager was sent to the stands in the second half of his side's 7-2 defeat at Pittodrie after a verbal exchange with an Aberdeen supporter escalated to a further argument with the referee and fourth official.
McGhee, who subsequently claimed he would consult a lawyer, has been issued with a Notice of Complaint by the SFA compliance officer for two charges.
The first is using "offensive, abusing and/or insulting language and gestures towards a match official" in or around the 59th minute of the game.
The second is for adopting "aggressive behaviour towards a match official" in or around the 60th minute.
McGhee has until Tuesday, February 28 to respond to the complaint, and a principle hearing will be held on March 16.
After the incident, McGhee protested that the decision to send him off was a result of fourth official John McKendrick's "diabolical" attitude rather than a his own misdemeanour.
He said: "I'm absolutely disgusted and horrified by the attitude of the fourth official. Before a ball was kicked, he was causing issues that didn't exist.
"I'm not blaming the referee, because he can only go by what the fourth official said. I wasn't losing my patience, I wasn't losing my temper. I was having a bit of a laugh actually.
"But right from the very first minute the fourth official seemed to me to have made up his mind, the attitude he was taking. He spoiled the game for me as much as the seven goals did. Really, his attitude was diabolical."
