Hearts have lodged an appeal against the red card shown to Laryea Kingston in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Aberdeen.
The Ghana midfielder was sent-off for a challenge on Fraser Fyvie not long after coming on as a substitute.
“I have looked at the challenge from every angle and at all times Larry’s eyes are on the ball,” manager Jim Jefferies told the club website.
“I don’t think there was anything intentional about the challenge and there was certainly no malice.”
Kingston was dismissed by referee Willie Collum on 52 minutes, having come on as a replacement just before the interval.
“His foot was in the air as he was trying to control the ball, which was coming down,” explained Jefferies.
“Their player might have made a meal of it since he was up and running about like a two-year-old afterwards and there might have been a bit of crowd influence too.”
Following the victory at Pittodrie at the weekend, Jefferies told BBC Scotland: “It looked to me as if he was just stretching for the ball and he caught the boy accidentally.
“If the referee had given a yellow card it would’ve been maybe even a bit harsh, but to give that was a bit ridiculous.”
Hearts rallied after losing a man and also had to contend with several injury problems as they battled to take three points
Dawid Kucharski was withdrawn for Kingston, Marius Zaliukas also limped off and Lee Wallace required bandaging on a head wound near the end.
Wallace should be fine to feature for Scotland in Wednesday’s friendly with the Czech Republic.
However, Zaliukas (hamstring) and Kucharski (groin) may be missing for up to three weeks and Jefferies is hoping fellow defender Ismael Bouzid has recovered from the injury he sustained in the Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final defeat by St Mirren on 2 February.
“Both Kucharski and Zaliukas will miss the Dundee United game for sure and it could be two to three weeks,” said the manager.
“That’s why it’s important we get Bouzid back for this weekend. If he’s fit, he’ll play. It will be a case of wrapping him in cotton wool and making sure he’s okay.
“He’s a relatively fit guy and if he hasn’t had any reaction to his training over the past few days then he’ll be fine.”
source:bbc
