Overview
- Stuart Findlay was shown a straight red for denying Toyosi Olusanya an obvious goalscoring opportunity, a decision that led to a stoppage-time penalty converted by Kevin Nisbet and a 2-1 Aberdeen win.
- Heart of Midlothian lodged a formal appeal against the red card but the Scottish Football Association dismissed the club’s claim and re-imposed the original sanction.
- As a result of the upheld red card, Findlay is set to miss Hearts’ upcoming Premiership match against Dundee United because the automatic domestic suspension stands.
- Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett reviewed the footage and said Olusanya went to ground easily yet concluded that contact occurred and the DOGSO criteria were met, making a successful appeal unlikely.
- The case highlights limits to VAR intervention, explains how DOGSO is assessed by distance and likelihood of a shot, and leaves Hearts short at the start of the season with potential effects on their domestic fixtures.