Brendan Rodgers charged by Scottish FA as Celtic boss faces possible ban for Rangers clash

Celtic manager set for disciplinary hearing following comments made in wake of defeat to Hearts

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been charged by the Scottish FA over his post-match comments following the defeat to Hearts. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is facing a possible touchline ban after being charged by the Scottish FA over his criticism of the match officials following the 2-0 defeat by Hearts on Sunday.

The Northern Irishman accused Don Robertson and video assistant John Beaton in particular of “really poor officiating” insisting “the game was decided by the officials, on the field and outside of the field” after two key decisions went against his side following VAR reviews.

Rodgers claimed Beaton’s VAR intervention on the red card shown to Yang Hyun-jun was “incredible” after the winger was initially booked for catching Hearts defender Alex Cochrane with a high boot. Celtic lost their appeal against the sending off earlier this week. Rodgers was also scathing over the penalty awarded against his side after Tomoki Iwata was penalised for handball in the box following a VAR review.

Referencing Beaton by name, Rodgers stated: “I try to respect decisions and give the benefit of the doubt, but when I see that level of incompetence, which is the only word I can use, then that makes me worry for the game.”

Rodgers has subsequently been served with an SFA Notice of Complaint which will see him attend a disciplinary hearing on March 28. The charge alleges that the 51-year-old breached Disciplinary Rule 72 which forbids any club official or player from making comments which “indicate bias or incompetence” on the part of a match official.

If found guilty, the Celtic manager could find himself suspended from the dugout for the next Old Firm fixture against Rangers at Ibrox on April 7. It comes after Celtic wrote to the governing body to express “serious concerns” over the use of VAR in the Tynecastle match.

Meanwhile, Celtic left-back Alexandro Bernabei is reportedly on the verge of a surprise loan exit. The transfer window remains open in Brazil until March 7 with reports in South America claiming that the 23-year-old Argentine is set to join Serie A club SC Internacional on loan ahead of their season starting next month. Liel Abada is also close to departing Celtic with a £10m move to MLS side Charlotte FC near to being finalised after the winger completed a medical on Wednesday.