SNS GroupHibernian defender Paul McGinn has been handed a two-match ban after describing League Cup final referee John Beaton as “inept”.
McGinn questioned Beaton’s decision-making in the run-up to Celtic’s second goal as they beat Hibs 2-1 in the Premier Sports Cup final in December.
Frustrated that Tom Rogic was allowed to take a quick free-kick that led to Kyogo Furuhashi scoring, McGinn said in his post-match interview that Beaton hadn’t handled the incident correctly. He also criticised a decision to penalise Paul Hanlon for an aerial challenge with Liel Abada.
That led to a notice of complaint for the Scottish FA and a summons to a disciplinary hearing.
An independent panel found that McGinn made comments criticising a match official and indicating incompetence from Beaton.
The player was banned for two games, meaning he misses his side’s Premiership clash with Celtic on Monday, followed by the Scottish Cup tie with Cove Rangers.
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