Hearts respond as Scottish FA reject Stuart Findlay red card appeal and ban confirmed

The defender was sent off at Pittodrie on Saturday after bringing down Toyosi Olusanya from behind as the Aberdeen striker closed in on goal.

Kevin Nisbet converted the resulting penalty to complete Aberdeen’s stoppage-time comeback and secure a 2-1 victory.

Hearts appealed the decision stating that “we do not feel that a red card was merited” and pointing to a “near-identical incident” in Motherwell’s win over Hibs at Easter Road, where Oscar Priestman received a yellow card.

A club statement added: “Being forced to highlight the consistency, or lack thereof, in refereeing decisions after only one match of the new Scottish Premiership season is not a situation we wish to find ourselves in.

“However, given the lengthy, worldwide debate around this topic last season, the club feels it is only right to inform our supporters that not only do we share their grievances, we are also taking appropriate action to rectify the matter.”

However, Hearts’ call for “justice to be served” has fallen on deaf ears with Findlay set to serve an immediate one-match ban after the appeal was rejected by an SFA fast-track tribunal on Tuesday, with the original decision upheld.

“The club is disappointed to learn that our appeal against Stuart Findlay’s red card, awarded at Pittodrie on Saturday, has been dismissed,” a Hearts statement read.

“Stuart will now be suspended for Sunday's Premiership match against Dundee United. The club will be making no further comment.”