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FALKIRK have launched an appeal in a bid to overturn the red card dished out to Tom Taiwo in Saturday’s stormy clash with Hibs.
The midfielder was sent-off by referee John Beaton in the 25th minute of the 1-1 draw following a full-blooded challenge with Scotland cap John McGinn.
The Bairns battled on for over an hour with just 10 men and thought they had snatched an unlikely victory when John Baird netted with 12 minutes to go – only for Paul Hanlon to equalise five minutes later.
Manager Peter Houston indicated immediately after the game that he would ask his club to consider contesting the decision and he has confirmed they have contacted the SFA to begin that process.
The necessary paperwork and evidence must now be with the governing body by 3 pm on Tuesday, with a hearing likely on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s trip to face Ayr United.
Houston explained: “We’ve told the SFA we’re appealing the decision. Myself and other people within the club think it didn’t merit a red card and it’s up to the powers that be whether we’re right or wrong.
“Once they have our appeal the referee will go back to it and have a look.
“It’s really, really difficult for referees, they have decisions to make in a split second and, at the time, I could not tell.
“But John [McGinn] wasn’t hurt in the incident, he got up straight away, and I hope they see sense.
“I don’t think it was malicious, I don’t think there were feet off the ground, there wasn’t any over-the-top stuff, there wasn’t anything that I think could have been seen as reckless and endangering the opponent.
“I’ve seen tackles a lot worse than that which have been appealed and won.
“Hopefully they see it the way I see it and my staff see it.”
