One-match ban offer for Hibs’s Leigh Griffiths after gesture to his own fans

Griffiths was disciplined for aiming an offensive gesture in the direction of Rangers fans in December and warned by manager Pat Fenlon about his future conduct. On Saturday the striker was captured by television cameras making another offensive gesture, this time aimed in the direction of his own fans, after scoring Hibs’ equaliser against Cowdenbeath in the Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Central Park.

The striker is understood to have been upset by barracking from the away fans, with Hibs having fallen behind against their Second Division opponents within the opening minute. Griffiths was also captured by the cameras mouthing obscenities at the supporters.

Vincent Lunny, the Scottish Football Association’s compliance officer, has again issued a notice of complaint in reference to Griffiths’ conduct. He has been charged once more with a breach of disciplinary rule 200. The specific offence is listed as a sending-off offence and covers the use of “offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures”. He has been offered another one-match ban and the Easter Road club have until 3pm today to respond.

Significantly, the ban must be served in the competition in which the offence occurred, which means Griffiths remains free to feature in this weekend’s crucial league encounter with fellow strugglers Dunfermline at East End Park. Instead, Griffiths is set to miss the fifth- round Scottish Cup encounter against Kilmarnock or his former club Dundee.

The Easter Club were considering their options last night. Last month they accepted the one-game ban rather than take the matter to a Fast Track tribunal. Fenlon was unequivocal in his criticism of the player, who missed out on the 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen as he served his suspension. The striker has since agreed an extension to his loan deal from Wolves, and is due to stay at Hibs until the end of the season.

“The players know what we expect in terms of discipline and have done since I arrived,” said Fenlon last month. “It’s bad to lose players through injuries and suspensions but to lose someone for making a gesture? That’s not good enough.

“As a player, you’ve got to be able to handle the atmosphere, particularly when you are playing against Rangers or Celtic. Hopefully this is the last time it will happen.”

Hibs, meanwhile, confirmed they reached agreement with Victor Palsson to cancel his contract and the 20-year-old midfielder left the club with immediate effect. The former Liverpool player is the latest member of the first-team squad to go as Fenlon seeks to make changes. Junior Agogo and Matt Thornhill have also been told they are free to move on.

Palsson arrived at Easter Road last January on an 18-month contract. The Iceland Under-21 internationalist started the recent derby defeat to Hearts at Easter Road, which proved to be the last of 34 appearances for the club. His one goal came in a 2-1 win against Kilmarnock last season.

“Everybody connected with Hibernian would like to wish Victor as he embarks on the next chapter of his career and thank him for his contribution,” said a statement on the official Hibernian website last night.

Palsson made his farewells via Twitter. “Want to thank Hibs, the fans and staff and of course the lads for a great 12 months I had at Hibs,” he wrote. “All the best to everyone.”