How the impartial SFA deal with appeals on red cards in 2009

From SFA website:

Reference to FIFA's rules on serious foul play seem particularly relevant in light of recent events.

St Mirren Sending Off Appeal Dismissed
Tuesday, 12 August 2008

St Mirren's appeal against the sending off of their player Will Haining in this weekend's match against Celtic has been dismissed. In accordance with the appeals process, the match referee Eddie Smith reviewed the incident and is content with his original decision to award a penalty and send the player off. Consequently the player will be subject to a one match ban.

Aberdeen Claim Dismissed
Thursday, 09 October 2008

Aberdeen FC’s Claim of Wrongful Dismissal in respect of the sending off of its player Charles Mulgrew in the match against Hibernian FC on 4th October has been dismissed, following a review by referee Michael McCurry. The player had been sent off for denying the opposing team or an opponent a goal or obvious goal scoring opportunity as defined by Law 12.

Heart of Midlothian's Claim Dismissed
Tuesday, 30 December 2008

Heart of Midlothian's claim of wrongful dismissal in respect of the sending off of their player Marius Zaliukas in the match against Aberdeen has been dismissed, following a review by referee Iain Brines. Zaliukas is therefore suspended for Heart of Midlothian's next match against Hibernian on 3 January.

Falkirk Appeal Dismissed
Wednesday, 21 January 2009

Falkirk FC’s Claim of Wrongful Dismissal in respect of the sending off of its player Patrick Cregg in the match against Rangers FC on 17th January has been dismissed, following a review by referee William Collum.

In explanation of the referee's decision, the following definition of serious foul play as detailed in the FIFA Laws of the Game is provided:

"Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force and endangering the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play."

Hibernian FC's Claim Dismissed
Wednesday, 06 May 2009

Hibernian FC’s Claim of Wrongful Dismissal in respect of the sending off of its player Chris Hogg in the match against Dundee United FC on 2nd May has been dismissed, following a review by referee Stevie O'Reilly.

In explanation of the referee's decision, the following definition of serious foul play as detailed in the FIFA Laws of the Game is provided:

"Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force and endangering the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play."

Accies fail with McArthur Appeal
12 May 2009

Hamilton Accies have failed in their appeal against the red card shown to James McArthur during Sunday's 1-1 league draw with Inverness. The midfielder was sent off by referee Charlie Richmond following a 66th-minute challenge on Filipe Morais.
And Richmond said he was happy with his decision after reviewing footage of the the incident.

McArthur will now sit out Wednesday's Scottish Premier League clash against Falkirk at New Douglas Park. Hamilton manager Billy Reid claimed the dismissal was "really, really harsh".

Pressley loses appeal
17 May 2009

Falkirk have lost their appeal against the red card shown to Steven Pressley during the weekend defeat by St Mirren.It means that the veteran defender will be suspended for Saturday's final game of the season away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Referee Chris Boyle reviewed the decision but decided that he was content with the sending off.

Falkirk had insisted that Pressley had clashed heads with Billy Mehmet and had not used an elbow. But, with their claim of wrongful dismissal being rejected, it means that Pressley will miss a game Falkirk must win to avoid relegation from the Scottish Premier League.

Rangers FC Appeal Referred to Review Panel
Wednesday, 21 January 2009

Rangers FC's Claim of Wrongful Dismissal in respect of the sending off of its player Sasa Papac in the match against Falkirk FC on 17th January is being referred to the Review Panel for consideration, following a review by referee William Collum.
Having reviewed the circumstances of the player's sending off, the referee accepted that an error had been made and that the player had not been guilty of serious foul play.

The suspensions incurred by the player as a result of the sending off have therefore been revoked and the player is free to play in the club's next match against Aberdeen FC this Saturday. It was decided that the claim be upheld to the extent that the offence be reduced to a caution.

SFA Reviews Ibrox Red Cards
18 May 2009

Rangers' Madjid Bougherra and Aberdeen's Charlie Mulgrew have won the first stage of their appeals against red cards they received on Saturday. Stuart Dougal viewed footage of the match, which Rangers won 2-1 at Ibrox.

And he decided that Bougherra did not deserve to be sent off for violent conduct against keeper Jamie Langfield. It will now be up to the review panel, which will meet on Friday morning, to decide what action, if any, should be taken against the players.

But both Bougherra and Mulgrew appear likely to be cleared to play in Sunday's climax to the Scottish Premier League season.

A curious question
This evening (Tuesday 19 May 2009) it was reported (very briefly funnily enough) on BBC Scotland News that Bougherra will be available for selection on Sunday. Begs the question (if you're not a Murray media lackey lapdog) - if a decision is not being made on the matter until Friday, why is it already common knowledge that Bougherra's red card will be rescinded?

Answer
Nudge nudge, knuckle grab, wink, apron, trouser leg etc. = Scottish Football in 2009