Livingston boss David Martindale is confident his one game ban for foul and abusive language will be overturned.
The gaffer was dismissed in last week’s clash with Dundee United for his reaction to Lions midfielder Ben Williamson being shown a red card for a challenge on United’s Declan Glass.
The incident happened just before half-time at the Tony Macaroni Arena but the Lions were able to hold on for a 1-1 draw thanks to a stubborn defensive display after the break.
Martindale was offered a one game ban by the SFA – which would have been Livi’s trip to Celtic – but he turned it down and says he will fight the charge.
Speaking to the Courier, he said: “I got offered a one-game ban and turned it down. I’m appealing it because I don’t think it’s right.
“I’ve read the charge, which is that I said ‘that’s a ******* disgrace’. It wasn’t directed at anyone. It wasn’t directed at an official. I just said it in the dugout.
“Are you not allowed to swear in the dugout now?”
He added: “It was a general comment in observation at the time because I didn’t think it was a red card in real time.
“I can see why it was looking back at the footage but there have been other referees who have since said to me that they didn’t think it was.
“It’s a split decision and I can see why Ben’s been sent-off and the referee has made that call at the time but there’s definitely an opinion for both.
“But I was saying that in general to myself. It wasn’t directed at anyone. So I basically got sent-off for swearing to myself which I don’t think merits a ban.”
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