The Scottish FA seems to have different standards for different teams. While allegations of biases have been made in the Premiership and the Championship (most notably the demotion of Hearts), that is nothing compared to a recent decision by them.
Here’s some background. West of Scotland League Conference B side Gartcairn had been fined and deducted points initially for fielding an ineligible player Vs Cambuslang Rangers in October. The league rules state “Any contravention of the rule H2 or rules 19-12” (relating to player suspensions) “will result in disciplinary action that will include a £500 fine. A three point deduction shall also be made for every match in which the ineligible player has participated, irrespective of the result of the original match. The Disciplinary Committee are unable to waive or modify the application of this rule under any circumstance.”
However, after an appeal by Gartcairn, the Scottish FA Judicial Panel Protocol threw out the league’s rule and imposed a £200 fine and no points deduction.
What is important to note here though is that bottom of the league Royal Albert received a 3 point deduction and fine earlier this season.
This will have a massive bearing on the title race as Cambuslang Rangers and Gartcairn (along with St. Cadoc) are both fighting for the top place on the table. You have to wonder why the SFA have decided on this? Whose purpose does it serve suddenly making up the rules on the spot?
There was a clear precedent and Royal Albert had to swallow ‘the bitter pill’. So what makes Gartcairn’s case special?
Are we in the territory of make it up as we go as what happened when Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer were demoted in the campaign before last?
Hopefully, the SFA comes out and gives us a reason why this happened. From where we are standing this makes no sense, and the SFA playing favourites.
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