Aberdeen say they are “extremely disappointed” as they get ready to appeal the eight-match ban handed to Jim Goodwin over comments made following a game against Hibernian.
The Dons manager will now miss the next six games, with the other two suspended until the end of the season, following his criticism of Hibs defender Ryan Porteous who he branded a “cheat” following a 3-1 defeat at Easter Road.
But the Pittodrie side say an appeal will be launched next week after the ban is explained to them in writing.
Goodwin accused the 23-year-old of “blatant cheating” following the penalty award that saw Liam Scales sent off in the match last month.
Goodwin has since admitted two charges at a Scottish Football Association disciplinary hearing – breaching a rule which forbids comments of a discriminatory or offensive nature, and not acting in the best interests of football.
Aberdeen declared themselves “extremely disappointed at the level of sanction” imposed on their manager and added they were “taking it very seriously”.
A club statement added: “We do not expect to get the written reasons behind the decision until next week, but we will be appealing this decision.
“Meanwhile Jim will be banned from the dugout for the Dundee United game.”
With Aberdeen leading 1-0, Scales was shown a second yellow card by referee David Dickinson after a tangle with Porteous at a corner. Goodwin felt the Hibs centre-back had pulled his player and then gone down looking for a spot-kick.
The former St Mirren manager said after the game: “I don’t know how many times the boy Porteous can get away with that kind of stuff.
“We’re telling our players in midweek to be careful with him in the box, be careful with him at set-plays and don’t touch him as he will go over.
“I actually had a laugh and a joke with the referee prior to the game to make him aware of it. Unfortunately just before half-time he was sucked in hook, line and sinker.
“We showed our players a number of instances when Porteous has won penalties like that in the past. People will say he’s good at it and he’s clever. But it’s blatant cheating as far as I’m concerned and it’s cost my team points.
“I told Porteous to his face after the game what I thought of him. I don’t care what he reads in the paper on Sunday and Monday. He knows. He’s laughing about it. He celebrates winning penalty kicks like he’s scored a goal.”
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