ROBBIE NEILSON will learn on Thursday whether he is to face a touchline ban after confronting referee John Beaton.
The Hearts boss stands accused of ‘misconduct’ in the aftermath of the Jambos’ 3-2 defeat against Raith Rovers on January 23 and will attend a Scottish FA hearing over Zoom at 3 p.m..
Neilson was visibly seething with the whistler’s performance following a controversial clash at Tynecastle — and received a second yellow card when he marched on to the pitch to speak to Beaton at full-time.
Neilson, who had been initially cautioned for sarcastically applauding the official on the 70-minute mark, felt Beaton wrongly awarded Rovers a penalty at the start of the second half when Kai Kennedy hit the deck under a challenge from Michael Smith. The spot-kick was converted by Manny Duku.
He was also convinced Reghan Tumilty’s goal – which proved decisive – should have been chalked off for handball. However, Beaton gave his complaints short shrift.
A notice of complaint was subsequently issued, citing an alleged breach of disciplinary rule 203, which states ‘no member of team staff shall commit misconduct in a match’
Should he be found guilty, Neilson could receive a two-match ban which would see him banished to the stand for Hearts’ upcoming fixtures against Morton and Inverness.
