CELTIC tongiht described the decision not to punish Rangers defender Jon Flanagan for elbowing Scott Brown in the Old Firm game on Sunday as an “embarrassment for Scottish football”.
Flanagan was only yellow carded by referee Kevin Clancy after catching Celtic captain Brown in the Rangers penalty box as Callum McGregor prepared to take a corner.
But SFA compliance officer Clare Whyte issued the English left back with a fast track notice of complaint on Tuesday.
A hearing at Hampden this morning cleared the former Liverpool player and he will be free to face Kilmarnock in the Ladbrokes Premiership game at Rugby Park on Sunday.
However, Celtic, who will be presented with the Premiership trophy after their final league game against Hearts on Sunday, took a dim view of the decision.
A Parkhead spokesperson said: “This whole matter is a huge embarrassment for Scottish football”
Meanwhile, Rangers, who had been scathing about the decision to cite Flanagan, who was facing a two game ban, expressed their happiness at the outcome.
“Obviously we have concerns about the process, but we are happy that the correct decision has been upheld," an Ibrox spokesman said.
The Govan side voiced their concerns over the controversial system that saw Flanagan cited earlier this week.
The Flanagan outcome is a major boost for Rangers ahead of their trip to Ayrshire as the 26-year-old is now able to feature.
Steven Gerrard's men are bidding to record a seventh consecutive league win.
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