John Beaton has just been hung out to dry by his bosses…
Livingston v Rangers - Scottish Premiership - Almondvale Stadium Referee John Beaton sends off Rangers manager Steven Gerrard not pictured at half time during the Scottish Premiership match at the Almondvale Stadium, Livingston. Picture date: Wednesday March 3, 2021. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xAndrewxMilliganx 58401909
Speaking of hapless disciplinary systems, while we bemoaned the SFA’s shambolic handling of John Beaton and Steven Gerrard’s little tête-à-tête, the outcome of Alfredo Morelos’ appeal only heightened the completely bumbling of both the SFA and Beaton’s performance.
Now, bear in mind, Gerrard’s red card was wrongfully issued, and it was only a yellow. But he still got a ridiculous single match ban.
The SFA knew it was a farce but didn’t want to undermine their man, so gave Stevie that single 90 minutes on the sidelines, instead of the usual 2 or 3 for a red card.
But then they DID undermine their man by completely overturning Alfredo’s yellow, which totally contradicted the other decision.
So… what’s it to be SFA? Do you back your man or do you throw him to the wolves?
The answer is you cowardly have done neither – you’ve moderately upheld his yellow/red card fiasco on Stevie, but completely undone his comical Morelos yellow card.
So, the answer is neither both and none.
What a mess.
If ever the SFA and Scottish football’s discipline processes desperately needed some serious improvements, it’s for next season.
Mercifully the bungling hasn’t cost Rangers too much except our boss on the sidelines this afternoon – but it could have cost so much more, and thankfully 55 is just about to be secured.
But next season cannot see a repeat of this incompetency.
It’s time to shake it all up, as soon as possible.