The Scottish FA have rescinded the yellow card given to Heart of Midlothian winger Alan Forrest for an alleged dive against Ross County at Tynecastle Park last month.
Forrest was brought on at half-time against the Staggies only to be booked five minutes later by referee Alan Muir when he went down in the box under a challenge from County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw.
Despite the presence of VAR, official David Munro didn't deem it necessary for Muir to check his decision on the monitor. Footage clearly showed sufficient contact between Laidlaw and Forrest who had moved into the penalty area at pace before rounding the goalkeeper.
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The score was 0-0 at the time of the incident. County would go on to take a 2-0 lead only for Hearts to produce a comeback to earn a point.
The club put in an appeal for the yellow card for simulation and the judicial panel met on Thursday afternoon. Hearts put across their case to the panel which is independent from SFA. They subsequently agreed with the Gorgie club and the yellow card will no longer be on record against Forrest.
Hearts head coach Steven Naismith lamented the decision at the time, saying "it is not good enough". Speaking after the appeal, he admitted he was "pleased" for Forrest but noted his displeasure at decisions continuing to go against his team despite VAR and revealed he will seek an explanation from the Head of Referee Operations Crawford Allan.
"You will not meet a more honest player and his reputation has been restored," he told the club's website
“I am, however, still left bitterly disappointed by the whole situation. While we applaud the decision made by the tribunal, it merely confirms what we all knew at the time, that there was no dive and therefore it is not unreasonable to have expected a penalty award, giving us the opportunity to take a step towards winning the game and securing all three points.
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“I have long been an advocate of VAR because it should ensure the right decisions are being made. On this occasion, and on others before it - away to Motherwell and at home to St Johnstone – and subsequently only two days ago at Livingston when pictures showed Lawrence Shankland having his jersey pulled over his head inside the opposition’s penalty box, VAR has failed to make the right decision.
“This is simply not acceptable and I will, once again, be seeking an explanation from the Head of Referee Operations as to why these decisions continue to be made to our detriment.”
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