Dundee United midfielder Paul Paton has been served with a Notice of Complaint for allegedly spitting at Aberdeen’s Jonny Hayes in Saturday’s New Firm derby.
Paton has been offered an immediate two-match ban if he accepts the charge, although he has been given until Wednesday, December 17 to respond.
The incident was alleged to have happened in the second half of the weekend’s game at Tannadice after a coming-together on the pitch, and no action was taken at the time.
However, the SFA’s compliance officer has reviewed the footage and has now decided to impose sanctions.
https://twitter.com/jonnyhayes7/status/544869463498428416
Paton is likely to contest the charge, given the fact that Hayes has today denied the suggestion the United man spat on him via social media.
The Dons player posted 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 90mins!”
“What happened on Saturday will stay between myself and Paul,we’ve spoke on this non issue, and if asked I’ll confirm what happened.
https://twitter.com/jonnyhayes7/status/544894120654045184
https://twitter.com/jonnyhayes7/status/544894388682653696
“To the Scottish FA, I’d never want to see a fellow pro being accused or found guilty of something that never happened!”