Aberdeen have confirmed the Scottish Football Association had contacted them seeking an explanation for their outspoken attack on referee Steven Nicholls.

Monday saw the Dons use their official website to blast Nicholls for sending off Maurice Ross and Chris Maguire during Saturday's 2-0 Clydesdale Bank Premier League defeat at Hibernian.

In a statement, which was not attributed to any individual or official at the club, the club claimed the match had "almost descended into farce" because of what they described as "the antics of the man in the middle".

It also said Nicholls was "hell-bent" on ordering players off.

Director of football Willie Miller defended the statement on Tuesday, saying: "I would hope they (the SFA) would see there are valid points."

SFA head of referee development Hugh Dallas said he had been "very comfortable with the two major decisions in the match".

Dons manager Mark McGhee had criticised Nicholls following the game, in which two late goals by Liam Miller and Colin Nish handed Hibs victory against their nine-man opponents.