Motherwell have announced that the red card issued to influential striker Scott McDonald has been overturned on appeal.
McDonald was sent off against St.Mirren last weekend after referee Brian Colvin, following advice from fourth official Andrew Dallas, ordered the former Celtic striker off after allegedly elbowing St.Mirrens’ Thomas Reilly.
Following a hearing of the Judicial Panel at Hampden this morning, the red card was reduced to a yellow.
The 31 year old, speaking to the official Motherwell club website, said: “I’ll be honest, I’ve been devastated since it happened. I couldn’t believe the ref brandished the red card, as I genuinely didn’t think I had made any contact.
“The officials made a decision and I was angry with them at the time. I know they’ve only got a split second to make the call but I’m glad they’ve seen it for what it really was. All my focus is now on trying everything I can to keep Motherwell in the SPFL Premiership.”
General Manager Alan Burrows added: “I would like to once again thank the Compliance Officer Tony McGlennan and his staff for arranging the hearing so swiftly along with the members of the panel who sat and considered our case.
“It’s another satisfying conclusion, similar to our McManus appeal last January and Scott can now fully focus on some big games for the club over the next ten days.”
McDonald, who re-signed for Motherwell in February, had been set to miss the play-off final against either Rangers or Hibernian following the red card shown but will now be free to play in both games.
