Nadir Ciftci accused of attacking linesman

Dundee United's Nadir Ciftci leaves the field after being dismissed against Inverness. Picture: SNS

The 21-year-old Turk was yesterday issued with two notices of complaint by the Scottish Football Association’s compliance officer following his dismissal on Tuesday night, one of which is for allegedly “seizing hold of an assistant referee, namely Gavin Harris, by the throat.” Ciftci faces a ban of up to 16 games if found guilty.

Melee

Ciftci was sent off just before the break after getting involved with a number of Inverness players after reacting angrily to a Richie Foran tackle on Gary Mackay-Steven.

The incident sparked a melee between the two sides and involved three players being booked, Caley boss Terry Butcher being sent to the stands and United first-team coach Darren Jackson going with him.

Appealing red card

Ciftci was offered a three-match suspension for breaching disciplinary rule 200, namely “violent conduct by grabbing an opposing player by the face”.

However, he has appealed the sending-off on the grounds of wrongful dismissal. The appeal will be heard by a tribunal next Thursday.

But the breach of rule 201 which pertains to “excessive misconduct” with regards to Harris could land the Tannadice player in more serious trouble.

Ciftci has until next Thursday to respond to that notice of complaint.