Tuesday 30th July, 2024 at 8:27pm
Following the club writing to the SPFL and Scottish FA yesterday regarding events surrounding Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup group stage fixture against Motherwell, we can update supporters as follows.
By way of explanation, both the SPFL and Scottish FA have confirmed that the fact we were denied the opportunity to introduce Ricco Diack as a substitute during Sunday’s second half was due to human error by a match official.
It has also been confirmed to us by the SPFL, who are responsible for the running of the Premier Sports Cup, that while this particular error is an “unusual one” the “SPFL does not replay matches as a result of errors by Match Officials”.
While everyone at the club remains deeply frustrated by this situation, we reluctantly accept the explanations offered and, again reluctantly, consider the matter closed.
What is always important in such situations is that lessons are learned for the future which is not only important for Partick Thistle but also for our fellow clubs across Scotland and the wider integrity of Scottish football and its supporters. We are grateful that both the SPFL and Scottish FA have confirmed they have taken steps to ensure that this does not happen again.
We can also confirm that we will pay Ricco Diack the appearance bonuses he was due had he been able to appear as a substitute on Sunday, an opportunity he was denied through no fault of his own.
This episode has been an unwanted distraction for the club this week but we do now consider the matter closed and the full focus of everyone at the club is on Saturday’s William Hill Championship fixture at home to Morton.
