In the blue corner, wearing a rather nervous and insecure expression...the SFA Compliance Officer.
It's Ciftci vs the SFA IV! Let's get readddddddddddddyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy to rummmmmmmmmbbbbbbbblllllllllleeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, nearly four weeks after the end of the season, Dundee United striker Nadir Ciftci has been cited for the incident during the Dundee derby where he clashed with Jim McAlister and, allegedly, bit him on the leg. TV pictures are not completely conclusive; McAlister certainly took umbridge to something that Ciftci did, and the United player, who was sitting on the ground, appears to move towards the Dundee player with his head in such a way that he could have gnashed at him, but it's not as barn-door obvious as, for example, when Luis Suarez has committed such an act. McAlister published pictures afterward of what, to my slightly-trained eye, looks like a bite, but I'm increasingly sceptical about how technology can be used to mock up or exaggerate such things. One does hope that he at least remembered to nip down to A&E and get a tetanus booster.
Moreover, McAlister does not exactly look tasty; surely, if Ciftci was to commit such an act, he would at least choose to chomp on someone who appears more delicious? (You can judge for yourself which Dundee players might fit that description).
If he is found guilty, the attempt at cannabilism could result in a significant ban. But Ciftci will surely be confident; after all, he's faced off with the SFA three times already in the last two seasons, and he's won on every other occasion. By now, the football authorities probably have his mobile number on their speed-dial. Let's look back at the previous clashes.
Ciftci vs the SFA I
I was at the game in question, a League Cup tie in Inverness on a chilly Tuesday night in November 2013 where the football was vastly better than the weather; in fact, the first half (which finished with United a goal up) was the best 45 minutes of football I watched in that whole season. And just before time, we had a proper fracas, right in front of where I sit in the main stand. As United took a throw-in, Gary Mackay-Steven went down like a sack of spuds, with Richie Foran in close attendance (I didn't see Foran do anything, but I'm completely prepared to believe he did something!). And it all kicked off.
In the midst of it there appeared to be a shoving match between Ciftci, Graeme Shinnie and Gary Warren. There was a lot of shoving, but TV replays showed it to be little more than handbags. Unfortunately, for Ciftci, the officials saw a shove in the face that didn't actually happen and fingered him for it. Aggrieved by the red card, Ciftci marched up to the nearside assistant ref and, for a split second, seemed to grab the collar of his shirt. It really was only for a split second. But I remember thinking at the time, "shit, he's going to get in trouble for that".
And he might have got in a lot of trouble, had he not been accused of "excessive misconduct at a match by seizing hold of an assistant referee, namely Gavin Harris, by the throat." That was not just over-egging the pudding, but also over-flouring, over-icing sugaring, and overbaking it as well. 'Grab by the throat' suggests he throttled the bloke; he absolutely did not do that. At the same time, they also tried to do him for an extra account of violent conduct. It was reported that, if he was found guilty, he could be banned for up to sixteen matches. United, in contrast, not only contested these charges but also appealed the red card that he did receive.
With the charges ludicrously trumped up, it made it far harder to pin him just for making contact with the linesman, something he certainly did do. In the end, the original red card was rescinded (correctly), the additional count of violent conduct was deemed 'not proven' (probably correctly too) and he got a two match ban (one of which would be in the next season's League Cup) for the altercation with the official.
Verdict: Given the potential outcome, this bout has to be given to Ciftci by split decision
Ciftci vs the SFA II
Ciftci and Gary Warren don't really get on very well. Another midweek game, this time at Tannadice in February 2015, ended badly when the duo clashed and Warren was sent off for retaliation. The officials didn't see the trigger for the Englishman's ire, but the highlights camera did - a forearm to the back of his neck (if you look closely in the video below, you can see it pretty clearly)!
Verdict: Shock knockout win for Ciftci against the odds here
Ciftci and Gary Warren don't really get on very well. Another midweek game, this time at Tannadice in February 2015, ended badly when the duo clashed and Warren was sent off for retaliation. The officials didn't see the trigger for the Englishman's ire, but the highlights camera did - a forearm to the back of his neck (if you look closely in the video below, you can see it pretty clearly)!
The appeal against a two match ban seemed more out of hope than anything else - a suspension would have ruled him out of a succession of important games against Celtic - but the panel ruled "breach not proved". Either Ciftci has one hell of a lawyer, or one has to wonder just how much 'proof' is required in these circumstances.
Verdict: Shock knockout win for Ciftci against the odds here
Ciftci vs the SFA III
Having dodged a ban for the big Scottish Cup quarter final against Celtic, he was involved in the great big rammy in the opening minutes of the game. It was sparked by a horrendous tackle on him by Scott Brown; whilst the two players lay on the deck, Ciftci appeared to kick the Celtic captain in the back of the head (See about 0:38 into the video). Thankfully for him, everyone was distracted by the fight Virgil Van Dijk and Calum Butcher were having. At the end of it all, Van Dijk and (due to mistaken identity) Paul Paton were sent off.
With a League Cup final imminent, the whole dirty business needed sorted quickly. Ciftci was cited; Brown was not. Neither was Ciftci's team-mate Aiden Connolly, who seemed to have won a penalty with a dive. Moreover, a bizarre loophole prevented the SFA from retrospectively banning Butcher. In the end, with accusations of bias flying around from both sets of fans, it seems that the Pontius Pilate approach was adopted. Paton was let off; less understandably, so was Van Dijk. And Ciftci, who was suspended for the League Cup final anyway, managed to successfully argue that he hadn't committed violent conduct. It's not been confirmed whether his solicitor's main line of defence was "come on, everyone's wanted to kick Scott Brown in the head at some point"...
Verdict: Another win for Ciftci, after the SFA quit on their stool
So, as you can see, Ciftci has a very decent record against the SFA. The SFA's disciplinary system, meanwhile, is coming off a rather unimpressive season, which has included Kilmarnock's Josh Magennis getting away with headbutting teammate Jamie Hamill and, of course, the complete fiasco that was Meekingsgate. In fact, I'm mildly surprised that the Compliance Officer has dared to dip his toe into the water...it might get (metaphorically speaking) bitten off.
Who do you think will win Ciftci vs the SFA IV? I think my money's on the former...
Lawrie Spence (LS) has ranted and spouted his ill-informed opinions on Narey's Toepoker since September 2007. He has a life outside this blog. Honestly.
Having dodged a ban for the big Scottish Cup quarter final against Celtic, he was involved in the great big rammy in the opening minutes of the game. It was sparked by a horrendous tackle on him by Scott Brown; whilst the two players lay on the deck, Ciftci appeared to kick the Celtic captain in the back of the head (See about 0:38 into the video). Thankfully for him, everyone was distracted by the fight Virgil Van Dijk and Calum Butcher were having. At the end of it all, Van Dijk and (due to mistaken identity) Paul Paton were sent off.
With a League Cup final imminent, the whole dirty business needed sorted quickly. Ciftci was cited; Brown was not. Neither was Ciftci's team-mate Aiden Connolly, who seemed to have won a penalty with a dive. Moreover, a bizarre loophole prevented the SFA from retrospectively banning Butcher. In the end, with accusations of bias flying around from both sets of fans, it seems that the Pontius Pilate approach was adopted. Paton was let off; less understandably, so was Van Dijk. And Ciftci, who was suspended for the League Cup final anyway, managed to successfully argue that he hadn't committed violent conduct. It's not been confirmed whether his solicitor's main line of defence was "come on, everyone's wanted to kick Scott Brown in the head at some point"...
Verdict: Another win for Ciftci, after the SFA quit on their stool
So, as you can see, Ciftci has a very decent record against the SFA. The SFA's disciplinary system, meanwhile, is coming off a rather unimpressive season, which has included Kilmarnock's Josh Magennis getting away with headbutting teammate Jamie Hamill and, of course, the complete fiasco that was Meekingsgate. In fact, I'm mildly surprised that the Compliance Officer has dared to dip his toe into the water...it might get (metaphorically speaking) bitten off.
Who do you think will win Ciftci vs the SFA IV? I think my money's on the former...
Lawrie Spence (LS) has ranted and spouted his ill-informed opinions on Narey's Toepoker since September 2007. He has a life outside this blog. Honestly.
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