Aberdeen have failed in their efforts to get Charlie Mulgrew's red card against Hibernian overturned.
Defender facing one-game ban after decision is upheld
Aberdeen have failed in their efforts to get Charlie Mulgrew's red card against Hibernian overturned.
The defender was dismissed for handling on the line after Steven Fletcher had flicked on Derek Riordan's shot with goalkeeper Jamie Langfield stranded.
Fletcher was standing in an offside position as he diverted the ball goalwards, but neither referee Mike McCurry nor his assistant spotted the infringement.
With that in mind, Aberdeen have been warned not to expect success in their appeal against the sending off.
The Scottish Football Association insist the Dons would have to prove that Mulgrew did not intentionally handle the ball, with McCurry maintaining he acted within the letter of the law.
Circumstances
"Having viewed the video evidence, the referee acknowledged that it clearly shows player Steven Fletcher was in an offside position when he struck the ball," read an SFA statement.
"However, given the circumstances (the offside decision having not been given), the referee had to conclude that the player was correctly sent off."
Riordan stroked home the resulting penalty to hand Hibs victory and consign Aberdeen to the foot of the SPL table.
The Dons now face a gruelling task to climb away from trouble, while they are also facing up to the prospect of being without Mulgrew for the visit of Falkirk on 18th October.
