Dundee United will contest the spitting charge levied against Paul Paton by the SFA yesterday after his alleged victim denied anything untoward took place.
Paton has been hit with a Notice of Complaint for allegedly spitting at Aberdeen’s Jonny Hayes in Saturday’s New Firm derby, and is facing a two-match ban if he accepts the charge against him.
However, United are understood to be 100% behind their player and will challenge the decision given the fact that Hayes himself took to Twitter yesterday afternoon to defend Paton.
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.
SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan has since reviewed the footage and decided to impose sanctions, writing to United to offer Paton an immediate two-match suspension which he can either accept or contest at a Hampden disciplinary tribunal tomorrow (Thursday).
But the Tannadice club will argue their case after Dons player Hayes appeared to exonerate the United midfielder via social media.
“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 mins!” Hayes said on Twitter.
And Paton himself replied: “Thanks mate never nice being accused of something as horrible as that.”
That exchange took place before news of Paton’s SFA charge broke, and Hayes went on to strongly defend his opponent further yesterday evening.
“What happened on Saturday will stay between myself and Paul,” he added.
“We’ve spoke on this non-issue, and if asked I’ll confirm what happened to the Scottish FA.
“I’d never want to see a fellow pro being accused or found guilty of something that never happened.”