Gordon Smith was quite outspoken last week after the Arsenal striker Eduardo dived to win a penalty and virtually guarantee his side winning the Champions League play-off tie against Celtic. The SFA boss called for UEFA to make an example of Arsenal's Croatian forward and yet he has refused to join in with the vilification of Republic of Ireland midfielder McGeady with good reason.
McGeady was given a second yellow, thus effectively a red card, when the referee adjudged that he had dived after he was tackled by Hibs defender Paul Hanlon during Sunday's SPL game at Easter Road. Amid claims of bias Scotland's football chief explained the difference between the incidents for those who just don't get it and explained why Aiden won't be hauled before the beaks. "The referee caught it and it has been dealt with." said Smith. "People don't seem to understand that. It is only when the referee has been deceived.
"I can talk of any other incidents that happen in the world because we do not deal with them." he added. "I am making it clear. Most people don't understand that three incidents are the only ones we look at. A player deceiving a referee to win a penalty kick, a freekick from which a goal is scored or to get an opponent sent-off. If they do not happen or the player is dealt with at the time, the matter is closed."
"In terms of things which happen in Scotland." added Smith. "I won't be going into great detail because we deal with the disciplinary measures. For me to talk could be seen as prejudicing the case of people coming up in front of a panel.
"The disciplinary committee will take into account the instances we have spoken about. We are already doing that." he said. "We did it in the case of Kyle Lafferty for having an opponent sent off. When we find players in cases getting penalties or free-kicks which lead to goals, we will also have it reviewed. Anyone who suggests I am keeping quiet about it for a reason has no idea of the situation."