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Ex-Academy Defender in Cup Final Ban Controversy Tuesday, 21st Apr 2015 20:56
Former Town academy defender Josh Meekings is at the centre of controversy in Scotland after receiving a retrospective ban for handling and denying a goal during his club Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Celtic on Sunday.
Leigh Griffiths’s goal-bound header clearly struck the 22-year-old's arm with the score at 1-0, an incident missed by referee Steven MacLean and his fellow officials. Caley went on to win 3-2 to set up a final against Falkirk on May 30th.
Controversially, Meekings, 22, was subsequently served with a Scottish FA notice of complaint and offered a one-match ban, which would see him miss the final, for “denying the opposing team an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball”.
Inverness have announced their intention to take the matter to a disciplinary panel with Meekings set to appear at a hearing on Thursday.
A statement reads: "Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC can confirm that it has declined the fixed one-match suspension offer in relation to the notice of complaint issued to Josh Meekings following an alleged breach of Disciplinary Rule 200 at the ICTFC v Celtic game on Sunday, 19th April 2015.
“The club intends to vigorously defend our player and is taking legal advice on the issue."
“We are extremely disappointed that this has arisen and the player himself is mentally shattered at the turn of events."
“Josh is keen to appear in person at the disciplinary hearing and we will most strongly support him by all means available.”
Meanwhile, Celtic have written to the SFA asking why no penalty was awarded and Meekings not sent off.
After the match Meekings admitted that the ball had struck him on the arm but said it was accidental: “It has come off my arm, but he is two yards away from me.
“I have just gone to throw my body in the way. Unfortunately it has come off my hand but fortunately it hasn’t been given.”
Bury St Edmunds-born Meekings came through the Town academy and skippered the U18s before joining Inverness, then managed by Ipswich legend Terry Butcher, following his release by the Blues in the summer of 2011.
Photo: Action Images
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Not sure how the SFA have deemed it deliberate handball. Unless their decision makers are Celtic fans of course..
But its class to see Josh (who was a good cricketer too) working his way up the football ladder. An example of any young footballer who doesn't make it at their first club. Well done!
The terminology seems a bit odd here. The nature of being "offered" a ban, which is then "declined". Rather than having a ban "imposed" which is then "appealed". Is there any difference here?
Incredible decision because there were 4 officials in charge inc. 3 clearly watching the incident at close hand (inc. that chocolate tea pot behind the goal) and they must have decided it wasnt deliberate at the time. --or are they ALL pretending they didnt see it? Cowards.
No fan of Celtic but looks like hand ball to me. It was arm to ball, not ball to arm. It may have been an instinctive reaction but I've seen much more farcical ones given in England. Sorry Josh.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of the call, a huge can of worms will be opened if this goes against Meekings. Surely any penalty decision for handball would be challengeable in future? At least the whole incident has underlined the pointlessness of fifth and sixth officials compared to a live review system similar to that in tennis.
I genuinely cannot believe this has made a story on here. I know I'll get your goody good bridgade down vote me and say they want to know how ex players are getting in etc... BUT come on the lad wasn't a first team regular. Best of luck to him but he's gone now and of any interest to majority of fans surely
Interesting post - I don't follow the Scottish game but good to hear how our local lads are doing. Can I suggest those that aren't interested just don't read or comment.
He put his head down and closed his eyes to avoid being smacked full in the face from close range by the ball, and instinctively put his arm out in self-defence, This is an evolutionary programmed response. i wonder if there is anything in the referees manual about that.
Officials missed it just as they do other incidents during the game. That's what makes football. On the other hand (no pun intended) does this mean strikers who handle and then score at the other end will get the same treatment. i remember a fat little Argentinian a few years back using the so called "hand of God" to get his country through to the next round of the World Cup at our expense and nothing was ever done about that.
So - the extra official, who was about 3 feet away from the incident, and looking straight at it with a perfect view " didn't see it at the time" - in which case, he should be fired immediately for clearly being blind. Oh - and by the way, if denying a goal scoring opportunity with a hand is a one match ban, why is scoring a goal with a hand not exactly the same?
Can't believe some people think this story is of no interest to this site. Josh is Suffolk born and bred and it is nice to see local lads doing well after not making the grade at Ipswich.
It just goes to prove officials are only human. Even those on here can't all agree if it was or was not a penalty. Personally, I do not like Celtic but it looks like a handball to me? But you cannot replay a game because an error has been made by the official in charge can you? If the twerp on the goal line and the Lino and the ref can't see it what can they do? Errors occur in every game that is played in the world - just get on with it.
That's the most blatant handball I've ever seen! Just look at him throw his arm up to stop it. Are you telling me it's in the natural position?! Ban is justified.
Personally don't care if it was hand ball accidental or deliberate if they are going to go after offences after the match I'd rather they looked at cheats who dive to win penalty kicks or to get players booked
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