Pawlett facing two-game ban for ‘dive’ to down Dundee

The Scottish Football Association confirmed yesterday that Pawlett had been issued with a notice of complaint.

The 22-year-old faces a two-match ban if he accepts the charge or loses a potential challenge to the decision.

Pawlett has until tomorrow to respond to SFA compliance officer Vincent Lunny. If he denies the charge, he will face a judicial panel hearing on 16 May.

Dundee manager John Brown accused Pawlett of diving to earn the late spot-kick that Niall McGinn converted to earn the Dons a 1-1 draw on Sunday and consign the Dens Park club to the Irn-Bru First Division.

The Aberdeen player fell emphatically after knocking the ball past former Scotland Under-21 team-mate Lewis Toshney, who appeared to pull out of any challenge.

Brown said: “It was a blatant dive. He was diving with two feet before he has even come near the player.”

The Dundee manager added: “It’s a shocking decision for the penalty. That decision has taken us down. It’s a disgrace. It’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen.”

However, Dons manager Derek McInnes defended his player in the immediate aftermath of the game.

McInnes said: “For me, the big boy Toshney came in and tried to slow down at the last minute but was a bit hasty in his challenge and, for me, he has caught Peter.

“There is definite contact and it is a penalty kick and I think it is a right decision.”

Pawlett has been banned for simulation before – he received a two-match suspension after throwing himself to the ground to win a penalty against Hibernian in December 2011.

He was also booked for diving twice in a month earlier this year, once against Dundee while on loan at St Johnstone, and also against Hibernian for the Dons.