Steve Lomas ‘shocked’ after being hit with eight-game ban

Lomas, who had a two-match suspension hanging over his head after cheat accusations aimed at Ross County midfielder Richie Brittain earlier in September, was handed the punishment after being sent to the stand during St Johnstone’s 1-1 draw against Celtic last month.

A statement on the Perth club’s official website last night read: “The SFA have this afternoon handed Steve Lomas an eight-match touchline suspension following his dismissal from the dugout in the match against Celtic on 11 November for foul and abusive language  towards a match official.

“This ban consists of six games for the offence committed at Celtic Park plus the suspended two-game ban which was already hanging over him following the game against Ross County in Dingwall in September.”

Lomas, who was also sent to the stand towards the end of his side’s 1-0 defeat by Hibernian on Wednesday night, was taken aback at being suspended for eight games. “I am shocked by the severity of the ban. I will  be speaking to club chairman Steven Brown and discussing  the possibility of mounting an appeal,” said the manager, who did not attend the Hampden  disciplinary hearing.

The SFA confirmed that Lomas had been punished for breaching rule 203, which incorporates “dissent, the adoption of an aggressive attitude towards a match official and the use of offensive, insulting and abusive language”.

Lomas had apologised to referee Iain Brines after hitting out at his decision to allow Celtic striker Tony Watt back on to the field following treatment in what he felt was a dangerous position. The former Northern Ireland international said after the game: “I have been into see Iain and I have apologised for my language but it is a highly emotional game and I would have been very unhappy if they had scored.”

The apology was not enough to secure leniency from the SFA’s fast-track tribunal, who also upheld dismissals for Motherwell goalkeeper Darren Randolph and Kilmarnock captain Manuel Pascali yesterday.

Lomas had earlier received his suspended two-match ban for accusing Ross County midfielder Richard Brittain of “cheating” over an incident that saw Saints striker Rowan Vine sent off.

And the former West Ham captain could face more action after being sent to the stand on Wednesday evening by Craig Thomson, shortly after Nigel Hasselbaink missed a penalty.

“I kicked a water bottle,” Lomas explained after the defeat. “It was frustration. I said to the fourth official he could’ve used a bit of common sense.”

Lomas, who steered Saints into Europe in his debut season, has found himself at loggerheads with officials since arriving in Scotland to succeed Derek McInnes in the Perth hot seat. The recent Clydesdale Bank manager of the month award winner was sent off in his first game against Rangers at Ibrox.