Sproule faces probe after calling referee ‘a shambles’

Hibs winger Ivan Sproule could be hit with a ban after the SFA decided to launch a probe into his scathing attack on referee Craig Thomson in the aftermath of the weekend’s defeat to Aberdeen.

SFA compliance officer Vincent Lunny is set to write to the 30-year-old to seek an explanation over the comments and to check whether the quotes attributed to him are accurate.

Sproule described Thomson’s handling of the Pittodrie clash as “one of the poorest refereeing performances I’ve seen in a long time” and a “shambles”.

He also branded the decision to award the Dons a match-winning penalty as “ridiculous”.

The Northern Irishman was adjudged to have fouled Peter Pawlett in the box, although Lunny has since examined the incident and charged the Aberdeen midfielder with diving.

The Hibs midfielder also claimed the official was wrong to have red-carded Pawlett for a challenge on Lewis Stevenson, with Aberdeen submitting an appeal over that decision.

Sproule went on to suggest Thomson, who is celebrating his appointment to next summer’s Euro 2012 finals, should be demoted to the First Division as punishment.

Since the comments appeared in print and were not recorded on television, Lunny’s first move is to write to Sproule before deciding whether there is a case to answer.

He could be charged of breaching rule 68 (publicly criticising an official in such a way to indicate bias or incompetence) of the SPL’s Articles of Association. If found guilty, it would then be up the judicial panel to decide what punishment to mete out to the player, with a reprimand and suspension – ranging from a three to five match ban – among the options available.

The threat of a suspension for Sproule is sure to annoy Hibs manager Pat Fenlon, with the Dubliner having laid down the disciplinary ground rules when he replaced Colin Calderwood a month ago.

Fenlon was disappointed with Leigh Griffiths after the on-loan Wolves forward served a one-match ban against Aberdeen for being found guilty of making an offensive arm gesture to Rangers fans a fortnight ago.

Meanwhile, Sligo Rovers could demand compensation should striker Eoin Doyle join Hibs.

The 23-year-old appeared to improve his chances of winning a move by scoring in a trial match and Sligo spokesman Keith O’Dwyer told the BBC: “He is under 24 and we would seek clarification for the FAI and Uefa about the need to pay a training and development fee.”

“Financially, I would imagine we would not be able to compete with the clubs interested, but we won’t let him go without a fight.”

O’Dwyer hopes that qualification for next season’s Europa League qualification round will persuade Doyle, who featured for Hibs in Monday’s 3-0 closed-doors win over St Johnstone, to extend his stay at the Showgrounds.

Doyle scored 25 goals last season as Sligo finished runners-up in the league of Ireland and three of those came against Bohemians before they lost manager Fenlon to Hibs.