Former ref backs Hearts in John Beaton red card row (2025)

Des Roache believes the Jambos have a case against Beaton after questioning both Cammy Devlin yellow cards

Former ref Des Roache believes John Beaton messed up by sending Cammy Devlin off for a second yellow card at Hampden.

The Hearts midfielder was dismissed following a second booking at the national stadium, reducing the Jambos ti nine men after Michael Stenweinder wa sshown a straight red in the first half.

And Aberdeen punished them by netting a 188th minute winner moments after Devlin;s departure to book their Scottish Cup Final place.

The Tynecastle club released a statement on Tuesday demanding answers from the SFA as to why Devlin received either of his "unwarranted" yellows, as well as other decisions that have gone against them this season.

And Roache believes they have a case against Beaton. Speaking on Record Sport's Hotline Live, he said: "I thought John Beaton made an error. I don't think the second yellow card is justified.

"Cammy Devlin made a genuine attempt to play the ball. Dante Polvara is coming from behind - it's just a foul. If it even is a foul, not every foul is a yellow card. Not every physical contact is a yellow card.

"What is Cammy Devlin meant to do there? If I'm a manager or a coach, I'm asking my player to try and clear that ball.

"As a referee, maybe I'm looking at it differently than John Beaton. But at that moment, the player has made a genuine attempt to play the ball, nit any lunging contact.

"For me, it's not a foul and John Beaton has made an error."

Currently, VAR can't get involved with yellow card decisions. But Roache has called for that to be looked at when it's a second caution and is the difference between a player being sent for an early bath or not.

He said: "I completely agree because it does have a fundamental impact upon the game. Hearts are then down to nine men.

"What are the words that we always hear? Clear and obvious error.

"Now if there's a yellow card offence, I understand that under the current laws of the game, a yellow card can't be considered a clear and obvious error.

"But this is. It is a clear and obvious error. And VAR should be getting involved. I really think that's an area that has to be looked at.

"I was always told as a referee, if you're giving a second yellow card, everybody in the world has to know it;s a second yellow card and that's why the player has been sent off.

"That's how you sell the decision as everybody goes 'aw, he's already been yellow carded, that's stupid, he;s got to go off.'

"For that one? I can guarantee that none of us think that's a second yellow card."

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