ian1964 10,761 Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 GLENN LOOVENS is desperately counting down the days until the end of this week - hoping that the SFA do not call. The Celtic defender fears he could be ruled out of the first Old Firm game of the season, on October 4 at Ibrox, if his long-awaited appeal against a one-game ban is finally called. Ironically, the offence for which he was handed the ban took place when Celtic last met Rangers, back on May 9. The SFA used video evidence to bring a charge of violent conduct against the Dutch international. They found him guilty of kicking Maurice Edu after the ball had gone. advertisement But Loovens contested the charge, and the disciplinary hearing did not take place until the start of August. He was found guilty, and handed a one-game ban. An appeal was immediately lodged, which meant the suspension was put on hold, and this hearing was expected to be heard within a few weeks. However, two months later, the SFA have yet to find a suitable date in the calendar to allow the appeals committee to sit. A spokesman for the game's ruling body has confirmed the number of games being played in the first part of the season, both at club and international level, had forced them to abandon plans to hold the hearing before now. Now the fear at Parkhead is that, if the SFA can find a suitable date before the Old Firm game a week on Sunday, that would put Loovens' participation at Ibrox in jeopardy. The player would have to be notified by the weekend of any hearing scheduled for next week, which ensures a nervous few days for all concerned. Loovens has always maintained he is innocent of any intent and said: "I'm a hard player, but also fair. "I just went in for the ball and at some point my leg had to come down to land on the ground. "I didn't do it on purpose. It was just an accident. It all happened so quickly." Edu had claimed that Loovens's challenge was deliberate. But the defender hit back when he said: "What Edu said is his opinion, but he simply can't speak for what I am thinking. "When you look at it in slow-motion it's always going to look worse, but it was a split second, "I know what I was thinking and it definitely wasn't on purpose." Loovens added: "I think I've been suspended once in my life, and that says it all. I know what my thoughts are, I can only depend on that." Publication date 22/09/09 http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2530702.0.0.php 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 He shouldn't worry about it, the boffs at the SPL will introduce the ban the day after the OF game. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,761 Posted September 22, 2009 Author Share Posted September 22, 2009 Incredible really when you think the English FA dealt with the Adebayor incident in 4 days !!!! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Ally 0 Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 That would be some form of justice if he was out for the OF, though is he any better/worse than the other two numpties. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,761 Posted September 22, 2009 Author Share Posted September 22, 2009 I couldn't care less wether he misses the OF game or not,the issue for me is how long it has taken his appeal to be dealt with,unbelievable 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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