At the heart of the proceedings is Rodgers’ critique of the officiating following Celtic’s defeat to Heart of Midlothian, where he labelled the refereeing decisions as “incompetence”. This comment has led to Rodgers being charged under SFA Disciplinary Rule 72, setting the stage for a pivotal decision.
In response to the charges, Celtic have enlisted the expertise of Nick De Marco, a distinguished legal figure renowned for his involvement in high-profile football cases. De Marco’s track record includes successfully representing Celtic in the past, notably in a 2019 case involving Scott Brown. Brown was cleared of wrongdoing by the SFA following his celebrations in a derby win over Rangers, with De Marco playing a pivotal role in that outcome.
Celtic’s decision to once again turn to De Marco underscores the seriousness with which the club is approaching Rodgers’ defence, aiming to mitigate the potential ramifications of the hearing.
The stakes for Rodgers and Celtic are undeniably high. Should Rodgers be found guilty of violating Disciplinary Rule 72, he faces a minimum two-match touchline ban. Such a penalty would sideline him for critical upcoming fixtures, including this weekend’s trip to Livingston and the Glasgow Derby against Rangers at Ibrox.
Both matches are crucial in Celtic’s pursuit of the Scottish Premiership title, and Rodgers’ absence from the dugout could present a significant challenge for the team during this decisive phase of the season.
Rodgers’ comments were made in the aftermath of a contentious match against Hearts, which saw controversial decisions including the dismissal of Hyunjun Yang and a penalty awarded against Tomoki Iwata for handball—both influenced by VAR interventions. Rodgers’ frustration with these decisions reflects broader concerns about VAR’s impact on the game and the consistency of officiating in Scottish football.
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