St Mirren's McLeish faces hearing over referee remarks

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reports that St Mirren manager Craig McLeish is facing Scottish FA disciplinary proceedings over remarks made after his team’s 1-0 loss to Dunfermline Athletic in the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday. McLeish, 36, spoke on Premier Sports following the match and challenged decisions made by the officials, including a comment asking which club referee Sean Murdoch supported.

According to the BBC, Murdoch, 39, previously had two spells as a Dunfermline goalkeeper before moving into officiating. McLeish has been summoned to a hearing on Thursday, 27 August, in relation to a notice of complaint under Scottish FA “Disciplinary Rule 72.” The rule bars club officials from commenting on match officials in a way that suggests bias or incompetence, or that affects their character.

The match included two major incidents involving St Mirren: Eseosa Sule was judged to have fouled Dunfermline goalkeeper Aston Oxborough before Samuel Ramos put the ball in the net, and the goal was disallowed. Near the end of the match, Chris Kane scored Dunfermline’s winner from the penalty spot after Marcus Fraser was penalised for a challenge on Keith Bray.

St Mirren said they would review the notice before deciding what to do next and would not comment further for now. The BBC also cited the St Mirren Mercury as reporting that McLeish described his televised remark about Murdoch as “tongue-in-cheek.” St Mirren still topped their group, but the defeat left them unseeded for the last 16, where they were drawn away to Rangers.