No SFA action on Balde push

THE SFA will not be taking any action against Bobo Balde for his clash with Livingston striker Jim Hamilton last Sunday.
The Celtic defender was alleged to have pushed his hand into the face of Hamilton, who had been penalised for using an elbow in a challenge.
However, after considering all the evidence, the SFA have decided not to pass the matter to the Video Review Panel.
Drew Herbertson, spokesman for the SFA Disciplinary Department,
confirmed: "It is our opinion that nothing happened to warrant referral. The matter is now closed."
The news will be a huge relief to Balde and to Hoops boss Martin O'Neill, who feared losing the player to suspension.
The case had been dragged out by the new year holidays as the SFA offices were closed until yesterday.
But when the decision whether or not to refer the matter to the Review Panel was delayed, fears increased Balde was in line for his third trial by TV.
However, not everyone will be happy at the outcome. The SFA's decision to use TV evidence against Nacho Novo and Henri Camara following the Old Firm game on November 20 has increased the pressure on them to act more often.
But the game's ruling body insist they treat every incident on its own merits, and are satisfied there is no reason to act this time.
Another piece of good news for O'Neill is that Alan Thompson will miss only one league game when his suspension kicks in next weekend.
The midfielder passed the penalty points threshold against Livingston on Sunday, and was thought to be out of the games against Aberdeen a week on Sunday and, Motherwell the following week.
But the SFA have confirmed that, because he avoided a domestic ban last season, Thompson will miss only one match.
O'Neill, who was scheduled to meet Neil Lennon's represen-tatives to discuss a new contract today, is gathering his fit players around him and checking on the condition of Didier Agathe after his lengthy lay-off with a groin injury. He'll also look at virus-hit Chris Sutton.
With Lennon suspended for the Old Firm clash and Stephen Pearson still weeks away from returning after his double hernia operation, O'Neill's resources are stretched.
Plans to bring Gary Naysmith from Everton have hit a snag.
The Scotland defender - whose contract runs out in the summer - has won his battle to get back into Davie Moyes' first team after months spent on the sidelines.
And he may now prefer to remain on Merseyside in the hope of convincing Moyes he is worth a new contract, secure in the knowledge that, if he does not, he will then be a Bosman.
•Former Celtic hero Henrik Larsson has been voted the most admired man in Sweden. THE SFA will not be taking any action against Bobo Balde for his clash with Livingston striker Jim Hamilton last Sunday.
The Celtic defender was alleged to have pushed his hand into the face of Hamilton, who had been penalised for using an elbow in a challenge.
However, after considering all the evidence, the SFA have decided not to pass the matter to the Video Review Panel.
Drew Herbertson, spokesman for the SFA Disciplinary Department,
confirmed: "It is our opinion that nothing happened to warrant referral. The matter is now closed."
The news will be a huge relief to Balde and to Hoops boss Martin O'Neill, who feared losing the player to suspension.
The case had been dragged out by the new year holidays as the SFA offices were closed until yesterday.
But when the decision whether or not to refer the matter to the Review Panel was delayed, fears increased Balde was in line for his third trial by TV.

 

About time they saw sense over something...they must have forgot there was a Rangers game at the weekend...

 

thought they would of cut one of his legs off.