The Scottish FA today held their Disciplinary Hearing against theRangers FC Women coach Craig McPherson who on 27 March 2023 head-butted Celtic FC Women manager Fran Alonso on the pitch at Broadwood after the SWPL1 Glasgow Derby had ended in a 1-1 draw thanks to a 99th minute equaliser from Celtic’s Caitlin Hayes.
Alonso, after the final whistle was busy doing what he always does, sportingly shaking hands with all players in the match from both sides, when McPherson approached him from behind, verbally abused the Spanish coach – calling him ‘a little rat’ while head-butting him from behind.
In the Disciplinary Updates section on the official Scottish FA website details of Notices of Complaint issued by the Compliance Officer and Claims lodged and dealt with under the Judicial Panel Procotol are reported.
The complaint against McPherson and the outcome is outlined below:
Craig McPherson, Team Staff, Rangers WFC
Thursday 13 April 2023
Alleged Party in Breach: Craig McPherson, Team Staff, Rangers WFC
Date: Monday 27 March 2023
Competition: Scottish Women’s Premier League
Match: Rangers WFC v Celtic WFC
Disciplinary Rule allegedly breached: Disciplinary Rule 77. A recognised football body, club, official, Team Official, other member of Team Staff, player, match official or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall, at all times, act in the best interests of Association Football. Furthermore such person or body shall not act in any manner which is improper or use any one, or a combination of, violent Conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.
Hearing date: Thursday 13 April 2023
Outcome: Admitted. 6 match immediate suspension.
Whether this is the end of the matter remains to be seem. Police Scotland confirmed at the time that they were investigating the alleged assault, which was of course caught by the Sky Sports cameras with this being the first ever SWPL1 match shown live by the subscription broadcaster.
You would imagine that as the evidence is there for all to see, a report should already have been sent to the Procurator Fiscal. We’ll try to find out what is happening.
And one thing for sure, the only rat involved in this matter is the thuggish Craig McPherson.
Rangers FC (sic) has yet to comment on this incident, presumably awaiting the outcome of the Scottish FA’s Notice of Complaint.
sfa have bowed to sevco again, six months or sin die should have been his punnishment, waiting for police scotlands ,over to yous
Police Scotland?! You’ll be waiting a while mhate! He should be charge that night! Aww can’t be charging him now you know as could cause ‘ civil unrest”! What a place! Corrupt to the core and poisonius to against our great club! And anyone basically have the nerve to wear Green and that’s anyone!!Thats Brigadoon Scotland!
Charged even
Absolute joke punishment , a Celtic player got more for supposed racist abuse with no actual evidence and Lenny got more for swearing but this thug can assault a person live on camera and only get a minor ban , this was probably sorted behind closed doors with socks rolled down n funny aprons on , hope this inspires fans to get right behind Fran and the Ghirls ,COYGIG .