Partick Thistle's request to replay Motherwell League Cup clash after sub fiasco rejected

Partick Thistle’s request to have their League Cup clash with Motherwell replayed after they were denied the chance to substitute a player on has been rejected.

The Jags wrote to the SPFL and SFA over the incident during their 0-0 group stage draw against the Steelmen on Sunday that led to them exiting the cup.

Thistle were denied the chance to bring on Ricco Diack in the 85th minute after being told by officials that the teenage forward had not been listed on the team sheet.

It later emerged that Thistle had done everything right and the problem arose from the match official’s use of the new Comet team-lines system, that came into effect last month.

The app is used by managers to submit their 19-man matchday squad to officials, but a screenshot had cropped out the last name on Partick Thistle’s squad, which happened to be Diack.

Thistle were denied the chance to bring on Ricco Diack in the 85th minute. SNS Group

The Scottish Championship side, in an update on Tuesday, said the SPFL admitted the incident was down to “human error by a match official” but that a replay would not take place on those grounds.

A club statement read: “Following the club writing to the SPFL and Scottish FA yesterday regarding events surrounding Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup group stage fixture against Motherwell, we can update supporters as follows.

“By way of explanation, both the SPFL and Scottish FA have confirmed that the fact we were denied the opportunity to introduce Ricco Diack as a substitute during Sunday’s second half was due to human error by a match official.

“It has also been confirmed to us by the SPFL, who are responsible for the running of the Premier Sports Cup, that while this particular error is an “unusual one” the “SPFL does not replay matches as a result of errors by Match Officials”.

“While everyone at the club remains deeply frustrated by this situation, we reluctantly accept the explanations offered and, again reluctantly, consider the matter closed.

“What is always important in such situations is that lessons are learned for the future which is not only important for Partick Thistle but also for our fellow clubs across Scotland and the wider integrity of Scottish football and its supporters.

“We are grateful that both the SPFL and Scottish FA have confirmed they have taken steps to ensure that this does not happen again.

“We can also confirm that we will pay Ricco Diack the appearance bonuses he was due had he been able to appear as a substitute on Sunday, an opportunity he was denied through no fault of his own.

“This episode has been an unwanted distraction for the club this week but we do now consider the matter closed and the full focus of everyone at the club is on Saturday’s William Hill Championship fixture at home to Morton.”