Hibs fail with Shiels appeal

Hibernian have failed in their appeal against the red card issued to Dean Shiels during the Boxing Day derby against Hearts.

The Northern Irishman was sent off for clashing with Jambos goalkeeper Craig Gordon as he tried to retrieve the ball from the net after scoring a penalty. Referee Mike McCurry made the decision after consulting assistant referee Willie Dishington.

The SFA received Hibernian's appeal on Friday and put it to their review panel, with the Easter Road club basing their case on their view that the incident did not amount to violent conduct. However the panel disagreed and confirmed the original decision would stand, meaning Shiels must miss the match against Dunfermline due to suspension.

Shiels said after the game: "The linesman came over and accused me of punching Craig Gordon and I totally deny that. I was running to get the ball."

And Hibernian manager John Collins added: "I've watched it five times on the television and it was not a sending-off. The referee and the linesman got it wrong."

In a statement, the SFA said: "The player had been sent off for colliding with the Heart of Midlothian goalkeeper Craig Gordon with excessive and unnecessary force.

"His arms had been raised to around Gordon's chest and neck area in the course of the collision. Dean Shiels is therefore suspended for his club's home match against Dunfermline Athletic."