Aberdeen have furiously defended their decision to appeal Graeme Shinnie's red card versus Ross County.

The 31-year-old was last night hit with a four-match ban by the Scottish FA.

The Dons will now be without their skipper on Sunday against Rangers, plus their first three post-split games.

The Pittodrie club are livid that their appeal has been thrown out by the SFA, and has called on the organisation to change their rules.

Shinnie was sent off in Friday’s 1-0 win over Ross County by referee Euan Anderson, following a VAR review, for a challenge on Staggies stopper Jack Baldwin.

The Dons appealed to the SFA for a case of wrongful dismissal, but that was thrown out by the disciplinary review panel.

Shinnie was then hit with a two-match ban for serious foul play for the challenge, as well as receiving an extra game for picking up a second red card of the season. 

But the point that has really irked Aberdeen is that Shinnie has been handed a further match due to the claim having no prospect of success on appeal.

READ MORE: Shinnie hit with extended ban after Aberdeen appeal branded frivolous

A club statement reads: "In the cold light of day, we very carefully considered the decision to appeal Graeme Shinnie’s red card at last Friday’s game against Ross County.

"We eventually decided to appeal in the belief that it had merit and a chance of success after watching the footage numerous times, listening to the various professional pundits on the matter, and discussing it with the player and the manager.

"In setting out our appeal, we also reviewed similar tackles in the Scottish Premiership in the last six months where at least two players, who have unintentionally caught an opponent in the follow through of a tackle and were red-carded after VAR reviews, have had their ban over-turned on appeal and their suspensions quashed.

"Each appeal is heard on its own merits, which means that no prior case/appeal decisions are considered.

"The legal system for hundreds of years has used and relied upon prior cases as evidence.

"We believe that the omission of these key prior appeal findings will continue to affect consistency of decision-making.

"Scottish FA rules prohibit us from commenting publicly on such decisions, but having been accused of presenting a frivolous appeal our supporters need to know that this is not only insulting to the Club but grossly unfair and entirely untrue.

"To add a further match ban seems ridiculously harsh and unnecessary.

"We are publicly asking the Scottish FA to urgently review our appeal with a new panel."