Pascali red card appeal rejected

Kilmarnock have lost their appeal against Manuel Pascali's red card in the defeat to St Johnstone.

The Italian was sent off early in Killie's 2-1 Scottish Premier League loss on Saturday for a fifth-minute challenge on Nigel Hasselbaink, who went off injured on the half-hour mark.

Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels was sent to the stand by referee Stevie O'Reilly after disputing the decision and the club believed they had a good chance of winning the appeal.

But a fast-track tribunal convened by the Scottish Football Association rejected the club's position and Pascali will serve an immediate two-match ban for serious foul play.

The Rugby Park captain will miss Saturday's William Hill Scottish Cup fourth-round clash against Queen of the South and the visit of SPL leaders Celtic the following weekend.

The defender vented his frustration over the verdict on his Twitter account, writing: "Appeal rejected £ragin".

Speaking hours before the hearing, Shiels was adamant the sending-off was the wrong decision.

"I think harsh is the biggest understatement of the season," said Shiels when asked about the red card today.

"For people to say it was a two-footed tackle is unbelievable when he leads with the left foot, which was on the safe side of the opponent and his right leg, the near-side leg, is bent.

"It's incredible how the referee arrived at that decision, absolutely incredible."

The Kilmarnock manager's anger was further fuelled by decisions made by Willie Collum during Celtic's 4-0 win over Hearts last night.

Shiels, who faces an SFA hearing over his dismissal, said: "I watched a tackle by (Victor) Wanyama last night, which was 100 times worse and he gets a yellow card. Scott Brown - the same."

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