Skacel spit claim is not pursued

There were a few heated exhanges at Tannadice

Dundee United have decided against lodging an official complaint over claims that Hearts midfielder Rudi Skacel spat on Stuart Duff.

Television evidence from Tuesday's bad-tempered 1-1 draw at Tannadice proved inconclusive.

And United player-boss Craig Brewster told the Daily Express: "As far as I'm concerned, it's finished.

"Rudi knows what happened and knows how people feel about it, so that's probably punishment enough."

Both defender Duff and United skipper Derek McInnes were quick to condemn the Hearts midfielder in the press.

But Skacel has declared himself innocent.

The referee wasn't good, but I certainly didn't spit at anyone Hearts midfielder Rudi Skacel

"It was a very wild game, with plenty of challenges and skirmishes," he told the Daily Record.

"The referee wasn't good, but I certainly didn't spit at anyone. That's all I want to say about it."

The Scottish FA had said it was up to United to ask it to investigate.

SFA head of discipline Drew Herbertson said: "Clubs must conduct their business through us and not the media.

"If the club submits a complaint then we will take the matter further.

"We will take it step by step and I am not going to speculate on what could happen."

McInnes said after the game: "Stuart told everyone that Skacel spat on the side of his face and if it did happen then it is an absolute disgrace.

"There is no place for that sort of thing in the game and it is very unfortunate that the referee missed it.

"Stuart is a very honest professional so I am sure he wouldn't have told everyone about it if it wasn't true."

Tuesday's game saw United's Barry Robson and Hearts' Julian Brellier sent off amid angry exchanges.

"There is no doubt that Skacel is a terrific footballer and it is great that good foreign players have come over to Scotland and definitely enhanced our league," added McInnes.

"But being spat at is the one thing that players can't stand and there is definitely no need for it."