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Flashpoint: Zaliukas sees red at Pittodrie

Hearts have criticised referee Iain Brines after he rejected their appeal against Marius Zaliukas' red card in the defeat by Aberdeen on Saturday.

The Lithuanian was dismissed with the official appearing to gesture that the defender had head-butted Aberdeen striker Lee Miller.

Hearts' website stated: "We are dismayed and angered by this decision.

"Pictures clearly show that Zaliukas was, if anything, the victim of the incident with the Aberdeen forward."

The 25-year-old, who was also sent off against Celtic last month, will therefore miss Saturday's match against Hibernian, as well as two further Scottish Premier League games for breaching the 18-point disciplinary threshold.

Zaliukas had strongly protested his innocence following the incident at Pittodrie and Hearts decided to appeal to the Scottish Football Association based on television evidence.

But, after reviewing the video himself, Brines said he was happy with his original decision.

It is a complete injustice as there can be no argument to suggest that Zaliukas struck, or even intended to strike, the Aberdeen player Hearts statement

"Hearts' appeal was based on indisputable television evidence that shows Zaliukas was not, in any way, an aggressor and most certainly did not head-butt Aberdeen player Lee Miller, as had been alleged," said Hearts' statement.

"It is a complete injustice as there can be no argument to suggest that Zaliukas struck, or even intended to strike, the Aberdeen player.

"We don't believe in an appeal system that dictates that the appeal decision should be left solely with the referee, as is the case at present.

"We understand that this is also a view shared by some other clubs.

"We are hugely supportive of the job that referees have to do, often in difficult circumstances.

"However, in our opinion, a mistake has been made and it is important that, when mistakes are made, they are acknowledged and we can all move on.

"That is why we are extremely disappointed that Mr Brines will not find it in himself to acknowledge a mistake that the TV cameras prove to be the case."

Zaliukas was one of two Hearts players to be sent off during the trip to Aberdeen.

Fellow defender Lee Wallace was dismissed following the final whistle, reportedly for foul and abusive language directed towards Brines.

There were also widespread reports of fisticuffs between rival players in the tunnel as the teams left the field.

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