Hearts appeal Stuart Findlay red card with 'identical incident' claim in Motherwell match

Hearts have submitted an appeal against the red card shown to defender Stuart Findlay in the side’s opening day defeat to Aberdeen.

Findlay was shown a straight red sent off for denying Toyosi Olusanya a goal-scoring opportunity in the 92nd minute on Saturday, leading to a penalty for the home side.

Hearts went on to lose the game 2-1.

The club are unhappy with the decision, claiming Findlay attempted to play the ball, and have now asked for it to be reviewed by an independent panel.

They also highlighted a “near identical incident” during Motherwell’s 2-1 win over Hibs on Sunday, which resulted in a yellow card for midfielder Oscar Preistman.

A statement read: “Being forced to highlight the consistency, or lack thereof, in refereeing decisions after only one match of the new Scottish Premiership season is not a situation we wish to find ourselves in.

“However, given the lengthy, worldwide debate around this topic last season, the club feels it is only right to inform our supporters that not only do we share their grievances, we are also taking appropriate action to rectify the matter.

“We trust that, on this occasion, justice will be served.”