HEARTS striker Steven MacLean is facing a two game ban for grabbing the groin of Celtic midfielder Eboue Kouassi in the Betfred Cup semi-final.
But MacLean, who was issued with a fast track notice of complaint by the SFA compliance officer yesterday, will be free to face Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle tonight. He will appear at a hearing tomorrow.
The 36-year-old squeezed Kouassi’s private parts as they both waited for a corner in the Celtic penalty area at Murrayfield on Sunday.
The Ivorian immediately fell to the turf holding his nether regions, but the off-the-ball incident was missed by referee Willie Collum.
Hearts manager Craig Levein admitted yesterday he had spoke to the player about his actions. “We’ve had a chat,” he said. “I think he knows he can’t do that.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: “I haven’t seen that since Vinnie Jones on Paul Gascoigne. It was a stupid thing to do.”
Elsewhere, Hamilton Academical midfielder Darian MacKinnon is also facing a two game ban after receiving a notice of complaint - despite being yellow carded for a foul on Alan Power of Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Saturday.
Greg Stewart of Kilmarnock has also been cited for violent conduct after appearing to aim his head at Scott Martin of Accies in the same game.
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