Scotland's top referees have reacted with fury to the news that Hearts winger Saulius Mikoliunas has had his five-match suspension reduced. The Lithuanian's ban for barging into linesman Andy Davis was cut by two games following an appeal to the SFA.
BBC Scotland spoke to several leading figures among the refereeing fraternity who unanimously greeted the decision with anger and incredulity.
At least two top referees will raise the matter at a meeting next week.
They will ask the SFA, who insisted on Friday that the protection of officials was of paramount importance, for an explanation of the decision.
A three-man independent tribunal, chaired by former judge Lord MacLean, reviewed Mikoliunas' ban on Friday.
The Lithuanian is already serving a three-game suspension for the two red cards he was shown at the time.
Hearts had argued that the additional ban for "exceptional misconduct" was excessive compared to previous such incidents.
An SFA spokesman confirmed: "After three-and-a-half hours of deliberations, the appeals tribunal has concluded its business and the appeal has been upheld in part to the extent that the additional ban of the player has been reduced from five games to three games.
However, the SFA spokesman insisted: "The other message from the tribunal is that they want to emphasise the importance of protecting match officials."
Mikoliunas was not present at the hearing at Hampden Park and was represented instead by Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas.
Fedotovas condemned the actions of the player but admitted he was pleased with the outcome of the appeal.
"We had a very fair hearing and an opportunity to present every detail," he said.
"The tribunal listened to us and I think we had a very fair decision.
"I think what Saulius Mikoliunas did was a bad thing and he needs to be punished for that, but that punishment has to be fair and we are satisfied by a fair decision from the tribunal."
Davis had recommended to Dallas that a penalty should be awarded to Rangers in the final minute of their 2-1 victory over Hearts on 2 March.
Hearts had a request for an inquiry into the decision rejected by the SFA and supporters' groups have sent a letter asking that officials be forced to reveal their allegiances.
Davis this week denied to The Herald newspaper that he is a Rangers fan, or a season ticket holder at Ibrox.
MMIX
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I think we had a very fair decision
