Hibs opt against Fletcher appeal

Referee Thomson faces angry Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen

Hibernian have decided not to appeal the red card shown to Steven Fletcher during the Scottish Cup loss to Hearts on Sunday.

Referee Craig Thomson sent Fletcher off after regarding his challenge on Hearts captain Christophe Berra as dangerous.

Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen voiced his anger at the decision but the club say that the matter is now closed.

Fletcher will now miss Saturday's Scottish Premier League match at home against St Mirren.

After the Edinburgh derby defeat, Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen was critical of Thomson's decision to dismiss Fletcher after 31 minutes.

"My opinion doesn't count but it was never a sending-off," said Paatelainen.

"Fletcher did not catch Berra at all. However, Berra jumps like a brown trout and makes things worse. I don't think it was even worth a yellow.

"I'm disappointed that Fletcher got sent off for nothing and that changed the game.

At 11 versus 11 we were far the better team Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen

"If there is a challenge like that when strikers close down defenders, sometimes they go in a little bit late.

"You can see if the striker goes for the ankle, the shin or over the ball and wants to harm the player.

"But there was nothing like that in that situation at all, you saw it clearly on television."

The disappointed Finn added: "If the official felt it was dangerous or too much power was used then maybe it was worth a yellow but definitely not a red.

"I'm massively disappointed."

The 2-0 loss means Hibs' 107-year wait for Scottish Cup glory is extended by at least another season.

Hibs' cup exit is all the more painful for Paatelainen, given his view that, until the sending-off, his team had the upper hand.

"We started the game well, passed the ball well and totally dominated. We could have, should have, and might have scored before the turning point," said Paatelainen.

"I told the boys that I was delighted with the way we started the game. At 11 versus 11 we were far the better team."

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to Hearts' win at Easter Road

Paatelainen's Tynecastle counterpart Csaba Laszlo offered some sympathy after his side's win, which saw them rewarded with a home tie against Falkirk.

Laszlo said: "I can understand the emotions. If you lose 2-0 at home then you search for something.

"But if he had not been sent off we might have gone on to win 3-0, who knows, anything in football is possible.

"I saw a lot of aggression from the Hibs players and there was also a challenge on Ruben Palazuelos.

"It was a difficult game for the referee but he handled it well."