CALUM BUTCHER has been hit with a three-match ban for his ‘leg-breaker’ tackle on Celtic star David Turnbull.
The Dundee United midfielder was cautioned by referee Don Robertson during the 3-0 loss to Celtic but has now been banned retrospectively.
Butcher was only on the pitch for nine minutes before slamming into Turnbull with the high tackle that caught the Celtic midfielder below the knee.
The challenge has been criticised in the media with former referee Dermot Gallagher insisting Butcher should’ve been sent off and ex-Liverpool ace Stephen Warnock branding it a ‘leg-breaker’.
Butcher had just returned from a two-match suspension and will now be out for three matches after the SFA ruling.
The fast-track hearing over the incident was scheduled for Thursday, December 9 but has been cancelled with the charge “Admitted”.
It means he will now serve a three-match ban meaning he’ll miss clashes against Livingston, Rangers and Hibs.
The SFA charge had read: “Disciplinary Rule 200: Where it is established that a player has committed any one or more of the following sending off offences during a match.
“Any Fast Track Notice of Complaint alleging a breach of this Rule shall be Determined by a Fast Track Tribunal subject to the provisions of Section 13.”
And the disciplinary hearing outcome read: “Admitted: 2 match mandatory suspension, effective immediately to the player’s Recognised Team’s next 2 matches, irrespective of competition (A1 – Serious Foul Play).
“Thereafter 1 SPFL First Team league match suspension becomes effective, on the 14th day following the date of the Dundee United v Celtic match on 5 December. (in accordance with Judicial Panel Protocol page 138 paragraph 5).”
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