Kilmarnock boss Kenny Shiels to miss next three games following SFA hearing

KILMARNOCK manager Kenny Shiels will sit out his side’s next three games after being found guilty of “impinging upon the character of a match official”.

• Kenny Shiels receives four-game touchline ban, two games suspended to next season, for commenting on referees

• Verdict triggers an additional game of suspension over comments made in June

• Kilmarnock manager escapes further punishment over incident at St Johnstone which saw him sent to the stand

Shiels receieved a four-match ban, two games of which are suspended until the end of next season, for comments made about referee Euan Norris following his side’s defeat to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in November. However, a previous suspended sentence for commenting on officials was imposed, leaving the manager out of action for the next three games.

One of the charges stated that Shiels had made comments in a radio interview that suggested “the match official may bear a grudge” against him were he to answer questions about Norris’ performance. Shiels also said: “I went to shake hands with the referee and I didn’t say a word. I kept my emotions in check as much as I could and then he said something sarcastic so I reported him.

“I don’t know what he said but it was something flippant.”

Shiels appeared in person at the Hampden disciplinary hearing. The Northern Irishman escaped further punishment from the SFA panel for an incident which led to him being sent to the stands by referee Stevie O’Reilly for disputing his red carding of Manuel Pascal in a match against St Johnstone on November 24.

Today’s hearing comes after Shiels was given a two-match touchline ban in June - one of which was the suspended penalty enforced today - after he made comments on refereeing decisions in a match between Celtic and St Johnstone.