Dundee United cannot appeal Paul Paton’s ‘spitting’ ban

The Scottish Football Association has said Dundee United cannot appeal Paul Paton’s controversial two-match ban for spitting.

The SFA’s independent judicial panel banned Paton on Thursday for the incident at last Saturday’s game despite his supposed victim, Aberdeen’s Jonny Hayes, saying no such offence occurred.

Hayes wrote on Twitter: “Just wanna clear it up that Paul Paton never spat at me, what happens and is said on the pitch is brushed aside at the end of 90 minutes.”

Nevertheless, the 27-year-old United midfielder has been banned because of video evidence, even though it appears inconclusive.

Following the decision, United released a strongly-worded statement criticising the judicial panel.

However, the SFA confirmed to the BBC this morning that there is no route of appeal in their fast-track judicial system.

It means Paton will miss his side’s games against Celtic at Tannadice and St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.