It's trial by telly for Miranda

Sep 29 2008 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

BUDDIES boss Gus MacPherson has vowed to appeal Franco Miranda’s red card at Fir Park on Saturday – if television pictures can help.

Miranda became the third Love Street Saint to become a red card sinner this season when he was sent for an early bath for an alleged elbowing offence on John Sutton during St Mirren’s 2-1 defeat by Motherwell.

The incident happened during the 70th minute of the game and occurred near the far touchline – and while referee Steve Conroy didn’t see what happened, he took the advice of linesman Graham Chambers and sent Miranda packing.

As a result, it left MacPherson’s side chasing the game with 10 men and with the score at 2-1 it proved an insurmountable task to salvage any points.

However, MacPherson is hoping that TV evidence can pick up what really happened and prove Miranda’s innocence.

He said: “We couldn’t see anything and whether we’ll get any camera angles that can help us out, I don’t know.

“But Franco is adamant that he did nothing at all, other than try to free himself because John had actually put his hands around him and used Franco as leverage.

“The referee didn’t see what happened and he was quite happy for the linesman to deal with it.

“We’ve seen the linesman and he said he can only give what he sees, but sometimes we have a different opinion on that.”

Former Saint Sutton, who was at the centre of the red card controversy, spoke publicly about the incident and even he argued that Miranda should not have seen red, adding that the decision to send the left back off was harsh.

MacPherson said: “That’s enough for me to hear John’s comments.

“Sometimes we question the honesty of players because too often there are controversial incidents in the game, but that’s pretty decent of John to admit that and I appreciate him saying that.”

MacPherson added: “The disappointing thing is that we put so much into the game and we quite clearly deserved something out of it and I don’t think even Mark McGhee would argue with that.”

Saints have already failed in one previous attempt to overturn a red card this season.

The club appealed Will Haining’s red card after he was sent off in the opening day defeat by Celtic at Parkhead.

However, after lodging £1,000 to have Haining’s red card reviewed, the SFA rejected St Mirren’s pleas.

The other St Mirren player to see red this season was Spanish midfielder Tonet, who was sent off against Hearts at Tynecastle.