SFA set to blow whistle on Winter

Brian Winter will discuss the dismissal that never was with his Scottish Football Association bosses this week after allowing Steven Anderson to stay on the park despite showing the St Johnstone defender two yellow cards.

The referee flashed a yellow card at Anderson after punishing the centre-back for a foul on David Goodwillie in the 73rd minute of Dundee United's 1-0 Clydesdale Bank Premier League win at Tannadice. But he failed to issue a red after booking Anderson for using his arm on Goodwillie in the 86th minute. Winter consulted with his fourth official and an assistant immediately after the second yellow card, but still did not dismiss Anderson.

Winter's apparent confusion stemmed from the chaos that ensued after Anderson's first foul. The Saints player angrily accused the grounded Goodwillie of diving, which sparked a melee that prompted Winter to show yellow cards to four other players, two from each side.

Winter, who has been taking charge of SPL games for more than five years, is understood to have been asked to explain the situation at a meeting with Hugh Dallas, the SFA's head of referees. But the 41-year-old will not face disciplinary action and is more likely to be removed from SPL duty for a short period.

Both managers called for leniency towards the referee after the match, which was settled by Goodwillie's second-half strike.

United boss Peter Houston said: "I hope he is dealt with leniently because he's an honest guy and we all make mistakes."