Yang learns Celtic red card appeal fate as SFA deliver verdict after Hearts fast track hearing

Yang has had his appeal against his Celtic red card booted out by Hampden beaks.

The South Korean winger was giving his marching orders in the champions 2-0 defeat to Hearts on Sunday for catching Alex Cochrane in the face with a high boot. Initially referee Don Robertson flashed a yellow at the wide man, but was urged to have a second look on the pitchside monitor by VAR John Beaton. After reconsidering, Robertson upgraded yellow to red and sent a distraught-looking Yang up the tunnel after just 16 minutes.

Steven Naismith’s side made their extra man count, taking the lead via a controversial Jorge Grant penalty after another VAR check for handball, before Lawrence Shankland added a second after the break. Brendan Rodgers was left furious with the “awful” officiating, questioning Beaton’s competence in particular and claimed that the dismissal had cost Celtic crucial points in the title race.

The Parkhead club confirmed on Monday that they were appealing the red card, and also that they had written to the Scottish FA expressing “serious concerns regarding the use of VAR and decisions within the match.”

But the sending off will stand after the appeal was dismissed. And Rodgers could be in hot water for his post-match comments, which appear to be a breach of Rule 72, article 96.1.

It states: Rule 72. Article 96.1 states :”No recognised football body, club, official, Team Official or other member of Team Staff, player or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA, shall in an interview, a ‘blog’ on the internet, on a social networking or microblogging site, or in any other manner calculated or likely to lead to publicity (i) criticise the Decision(s) and/or performance(s) of any or all match official(s) in such a way as to indicate bias or incompetence on the part of such match official; or (ii) make remarks about such match official(s) which impinge on his character. For the avoidance of doubt this Rule applies (i) whether reported to the Scottish FA by a match official for Misconduct or otherwise, and (ii) where remarks are brought to the Scottish FA’s attention, or of which the Scottish FA becomes aware, by whatever manner or means.

“There shall be a presumption that any material published in such manner was published in the name of and/or with the authority of the person or body bearing to have published the material.”