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I've been a Celtic supporter for almost 60 years and was at Sunday's Game and of course I was disappointed that we got beat and it does hurt to get so close to a Treble and not get it. But that feeling would have been the same if the incident involving Josh had never happened. I don't know a single Celtic supporter that want's to see him barred from the final. He should have been dealt with at the time and that might have seen him miss the final - who knows? But IMO the fact that every official was temporarily 'blind' at the crucial moment isn't good enough reason for the Compliance Officer to act and I think it's a deliberate attempt by the SFA to scapegoat Meekings as a deflection from the gross failure of every single match official. Celtic fans have many reasons to distrust the SFA - some good and other perhaps not - but they have no impact on what's going on here. As to Celtic's right to ask for an explanation: I would ask if positions were reversed on the day would ICT fans not be demanding an explanation? I'm sure they would. In the past these kinds of things were dealt with secfretly and privately and surely in this day and age football fans want to move-on into a more transparent approach to governing the game and ways to improve that process. ICT well deserved their victory on Sunday and deserve to be in the final. IMO so does Josh Meekings - I simply don't care whether it was intentional or accidental although I do think it was a penalty and I don't believe none of the officials saw the incident. Whether they saw his hand hit the ball or 'saw' his face hit the ball or surmied it was his head that hit the ball I haven't a clue. But they - for whatever reason - appear to have taken a vow of Omerta. Meekings, on the other hand, has been honest since the post-match interview in saying it struck his hand and admitting he was lucky. I admire they guy for that because he didn't fudge the question and told the truth. For that alone he deserves to be in the final! celtic as a club have no axe to grind with the player or ICT - you have given us good games and the odd roasting and we value you as worthy opponents and good footballers and I would hate to think SFA manufactured nonsense and PR spin could create a rift between us. I'm sure it won't.

My final word on the absurdity of it all before the hearing. Professional football has been played now for 153 years. It has been routinely televised for half a century. FIFA have 209 national associations as members. Something in excess of ten million professional football matches have taken place over the last century and a half. In over fifteen million hours of play never before in the history of the World has an allegation of handball been dealt with retrospectively. If the Compliance Officer can explain to me what is so very different about the second semi final of the 2015 William Hill Scottish Cup from the over ten million matches that went before it then I might just be prepared to accept that there is a case to answer....

Ironic thread title! There are plenty Inverness fans who have never had any affiliation for either of that pair. Your casual reference of supporting Celtic but have changed to ICT suggests too much time interchanging clubs on a PC game - rather than having to literally live out the reality of supporting a wee club like us versus the sickening institution that is Celtic. The religion, bigotry, self-righteousness, and many more unmentionables, make that club one of whom nobody can be proudly associated. There is simply a HUGE cultural divide! It is inconceivable to me that one day, you support Celtic, but the next, Caley Thistle! Ouch.....I have to disagree, in my opinion, those fans who once supported other clubs even Celtic and Rangers are just as valued and welcome as fans of ICT as those of us who once stood on the terraces of Kingsmills and Telford Street.

Well let's think about this type of scenario for a moment. In the League Cup Final last year, around about the 80th minute, Richie Foran attempted to head a cross from a corner kick towards the goal, but didn't get a strong enough head on it. Replays showed that he was pulled back by an Aberdeen player. Now using the Celtic Logic (that being that their crystal balls have told them beyond all doubt that it definitely would've been a red card, the penalty would've been scored and that there was no way ICT would come back from 2-0 down despite it happening twice before and once with ten men for a fair chunk of the match), that penalty would've been scored and with ten minutes left ICT would've ran the clock down and won the League Cup. Sure we were disappointed that we never got it, but we accepted it and unfortunately didn't do the business and got beat. Disappointed? Yes. Had the penalty been given, would things be different? Probably. Demand the club write a letter to the SFA and our fans indulge in some absolutely sickening abuse of the Aberdeen player who we can't we even remember which one it was? No. Using the Celtic Logic, it would be fair game, but we didn't. Who cares about all the success Celtic have had. In recent years, ICT have shown more class than your club ever will. You say the Celtic fans are demanding answers. Who cares? They're nothing but bad losers and (as anyone who's ever looked at that crackpot blogger Phil Mac...Mac...Mac...whatever his name is will tell you) a sizeable chunk are thick as mince. It's quite embarrassing that they've totally bowed down to them. Of course though, it's all about money. Thick-as-mince fans buy stuff and you wouldn't want to alienate your largest market... Finally, you say Celtic have a number of reasons to distrust the SFA? Why would that be? Is that these crackpot conspiracies involving Masons, the Triads, UFOs and all the rest of it? Utterly cringeworthy, with Celtic once again attempting to create a vehicle for their thick fans to vent their anger out. I'll tell you this, I'd find it hard to support a club like that.

There is only one part of your post that I take issue with. Whilst we would, without doubt, have felt aggrieved and disappointed, I am as certain as I can be that ICT would not have written to the SFA to ask for an explanation. We would have simply accepted that we were on the wrong end of a bad refereeing decision at a crucial time as every single club is from time to time. In fact, I can only think of two clubs in the land who would have the arrogance to write to the governing body demanding an explanation. One is your own and one is barely four years old. You are each as bad as each other and football in this country would be much the healthier and far fairer without either of you.

Save your appeal fees ..... unlike the SFA we try to work with common sense and consistency here .... besides, as head of the CTO panel, I tend to agree with you The whole thing is an utter farce ! There's a fair few Celtic fans embarrassed by this, and I think we are being a bit harsh on our visitor here who appears to be somewhat rational and polite ..... but there are equally as many uttering death threats or ranting incoherently on social media and it is these 'eejits' who have caused this. Bottom line (to me) is that Celtic have tugged the forelock to a relatively small but viciously vociferous group of their fans who are going apoplectic over this, and the SFA have similarly rolled over for Celtic with a knee-jerk over-reaction to their so-called 'question'. They appear to want to throw their own officials and Josh Meekings under the bus to save face and to satiate these lunatics regardless of rules or precedent. Hell, forget rules or precedent, FIFA and the head of the referees says its a crock of horse**** and so does the Celtic manager ... why are we even discussing this? Hopefully it will all be resolved in the next hour or two ....

Celtic supporters solely have caused this entire sorry @ssed situation. I have followed ICT since the 3rd division and experienced many, many highs and lows over the past 2 decades plus. We have just reached our first ever Scottish Cup Final. We played better on the day. We merited our victory. Even if we hadn't, and we had won the game with a lucky 89th minute own goal, the fact is we have just reached our first ever Scottish Cup Final. The feeling on Sunday was fantastic, one of the best I've had on my ICT journey - now?... Now I'm just extremely angry at the whole pathetic shambles your fans have created. A great feeling that should have lasted all week, ruined by your fans because they cannot accept that they were beaten. Yes - the ref has messed up. Yes - you should have had a penalty. Was the handball deliberate? Not for a second. It's quite reasonable to believe that the linesman behind the goal thought the ball had hit Josh in the face/head. And that is what he told the ref immediately. Either way - he was still wrong. Unfair decisions have affected every club in Scotland. Every club in Europe. Every club in the world. Yet your fans have to go out complaining it's not fair, and demand something happens. And what has happened? - An honest, young player has been thrust into the world media, received disgusting abuse and been made to feel like a cheat. Josh is not a cheat. It was handball - it was not deliberate. - Our fans are left talking about this pathetic story rather than enjoying a fantastic achievement and an historic day in our clubs journey. - Scottish football had been made to look even more ridiculous. And who's caused this? Your fans. Your club. Why? Because you are nothing more than sore losers. This entire sorry @ssed, pathetic, embarrassment has been caused by your fans and your club. For years we've seen rangers claim they are too big for Scottish football - and now you're too big to lose in a cup game or to have a bad decision go against you? Your fans have damaged the perception of your club throughout Scotland and further afield far worse than a bad officiating error has tarnished our game. So you'll excuse me and many of my fellow football supporters if we don't meekly accept that you were right to do what you've done and if our club stands up for itself this time. As far as this poster is concerned you can f**k off and leave the rest of us to get on with things - you've caused enough trouble as it is. I now fully expect a warning or a ban from the mods for this rant. That's a ban that's acceptable and won't be contested.

Josh's culpability requires to be proved but not beyond reasonable doubt. He has not been charged with a criminal offence. Is 'Denying Celtic The Treble' not a criminal offence?

I'll not comment on the rest of your post but just this little contradiction above. If it wasn't deliberate then it should not have been a penalty. The laws of the game require the handball to be deliberate for it to be a foul. There is widespread confusion about this and we are even hearing loads of folk who are very experienced in the game accepting it was not deliberate but at the same time saying it should have been a penalty. Perhaps one good thing which might come out of this sorry episode is some better guidance for the interpretation of the law. IMHO more than half of all penalties given for handball are not deliberate and so we see defenders get punished for a ball hitting them in the arm at point blank range but not for wrapping their arms around an opponent to prevent them going for the ball. For the good of the game that needs to change.

Quality rant from KingBeastie! Banning you for that would be harsh...perhaps a suspension from commenting on the Cup Final?!

Roll on Hampden on the 30 May. ..AND the huge cheer as Josh Meekings runs out onto the park...............

Justice prevails. Let's now enjoy our day in the sun.

I appreciate the sincerity of your post but, with all due respect, supporters of clubs outside the Old Firm (no matter how much you detest the term) have long since stopped being surprised by anything that happens in matches against either of them. As a wee club I doubt we would be 'demanding' anything.

I think Draper's suspended. I thought a 'die hard' like you RiG would have known! Sweet... Great photo of Josh that - not sure if that's a tattoo on his right arm or an imprint from a football... I'm sure I'm not the first person this week to zoom-in on Josh's right arm, but I could swear that tattoo reads "GIRUY"!

Just great although I am just a wee bit surprised at the outcome, I wonder what the papers will be saying tomorrow! The one good thing for Josh is he is world famous now I hope can relax now and enjoy the remainder of the season including the final.

I was surprised but pleased that the independent panel had the guts, integrity and common sense to bring this farce to an end. However, as for the officials, we need to take a long hard look at who is administering our game and how it's administered. Leaving aside the motivation for raising this matter in the first place, the great and the good running our game failed to anticipate the scorn and derision rightly directed at our game for being the only national association in the World to take this course just as they failed to anticipate, until very recently, that constantly talking down and belittling the game in this country would deter potential blue chip sponsors just a tad and just as they failed to anticipate that we fans would feel beyond aggrieved by the plan to parachute the Rangers Newco straight into the SPL. The likes of Jim Farry and Ernie Walker had their faults and idiosyncrasies but well regarded and respected internationally and, as a result, so was Scottish football. The current CEOs of both the SFA and the League are, with justification, seen in a much poorer light and, as a consequence, so is our game. The Meekings farce is just the latest symptom of this long running malaise and it must surely be time for change at the very top of both structures. Surely it's time now for change...

The caustic soda on my left upper arm is fair hurting.

I'm so glad for Josh! But in equal measure l'm still so sad for Gary

http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/1527-case-dismissed So glad for Josh !

We need people like John Hughes in the game and in general life. Has he ever had a bad word for anyone? I think not but there might have been the odd shake of the head. He is a great manager and has brought our team to the dizzy height we are at now, his calmness and humour are ever present as is his praise for the lads putting the team first and always reluctant to accept praise for himself. His humorous pre match discussions on how good the other teams are and how difficult it will be to get something out of the match, when all the time the twinkle in his eye is saying we have got you lot sussed. John is in a class of his own compared to most football managers the nearest comparison being our near rival's otb so well done the Highlands. At Brora pre season he was sitting surveying the prematch workout, deep in thought in the stand, I shouted up to him is this the Inverness support end and the big beaming smile I got back lit up the stadium and it said it all Stick with it John ICT and football need you

For PFA Scotland Young Player of the year. Well done Ryan!

If Josh's case is admonished or he wins will Celtic pay our costs? plus compensation for stress and anxiety they have caused him.

I actually disagree with some of the comments above tbh. Im sure clubs query decisions all the time but its done behind closed doors. Celtic clearly decided to do it publically to play to their own support. Tbh I think they had the right to query but not in the manner theyve done it in. I do however blame the central belt based press who clearly have stirred and stirred making this so high profile that the SFA decided in intervene. Most Celtic fans I know disagree with Josh being cited and want the referee dealt with. Personally I also feel that wrong as refs are human and we all moan about decisions and then move on. Doubt wed still be seeing this discussed in press if it had been the other way round tbh....

I have read the posts on here and the majority on P & B as well. having calmed down since Josh was first cited, I think there are a few things to consider. Despite all the camera angles that have been shown, nobody has been able to, nor will they be able to, show the exact view the officials had of this incident. Why - becasue no official had a camera strpped to their head.Unless you were physically standing where the official were, you cannot 100% say from television footage that the officials saw this. If they did not see clearly or were not a 100% sure, they cannot give a penalty. Referees should not try to second guess situations although some do. The SFA are really hanging the officials out to dry here and I do have sympathy for the officials. All the SFA needed to do was to come out with a statement that they had consulted officials and this is whay they thought happened/why they did not award a penalty. I genuinely believe the officials think they got the decision correct at the time and it must be remembered that they only get to see the incident once in real time, not on endless television replays. If Josh does get banned for this, then, as has already been said, it opens up a real can of worms for the future and could change how the game is played and viewed. While technically the Compliance officer may be within the rules, it is my understanding that these rules were brought in to basically capture off the ball or violent incidents that the referee missed/did not see and to then discipline the offenders. If the rules are badly written, then the clubs need to get them rewritten as soon as possible as the clubs agreed this. The final point has to be that if these rules have been in place for 4 years, why have they not been used for an incident like this before as this cannot have been the first time this has happened. An obvious conclusion would be because the SFA did this to shift the blame from the officials and to say, they got it wrong (but did they?), we cannot change what happened but we will ban a player retrospectively to make you/the SFA happy and look like the good guys. I rest my case m'lud

He could emulate Jean-Marc Bosman in becoming synonymous with a certain situation. Fan 1: "Is Smithy not suspended for this week's game?" Fan 2: "Nah, he's available on a Meekings."

Cool, calm and collected --that's ....OOR Buckett.

I think most football fans will agree that this was a waste of time and money, and it did take a bit of shine of one of the best results, if not the best result in our history. Josh has been through the ringer, and would probably not have had to go through this without those Celts with a chip on their shoulder and the conspiracy theorists, such as John Collins. Celtics lack of respect has brought the game into disrepute, and the SFA jumped when told to by Celtic and those "best fans in the world" cough cough ( always easy to support a team that wins things ) Celtic and their glorious fans have proved in the last few days that they are indeed far from that quote. Wonder what they expected from the SFA in reply to their letter. Dear Celtic, we write to confirm that the officials at the semi final were all hand picked blue noses, as we at the SFA could not stand that you had the chance of winning a treble. Down at the Lodge a few weeks back we all agreed that the best way to stick it right up Celtic was to have the ref upset your glorious legions of conspiracy believing fans that they was robbed. We prefer that Celtic Football Club have more conspiracy theories than trophies, so here's another one for you. Wonder if the condemnation from varying officials from the game influenced their decision, or was it ICT who defended most successfully? All we hope now is Josh enjoys playing in the final, and we enjoy supporting him to the hilt.

Well let's think about this type of scenario for a moment. In the League Cup Final last year, around about the 80th minute, Richie Foran attempted to head a cross from a corner kick towards the goal, but didn't get a strong enough head on it. Replays showed that he was pulled back by an Aberdeen player. Now using the Celtic Logic (that being that their crystal balls have told them beyond all doubt that it definitely would've been a red card, the penalty would've been scored and that there was no way ICT would come back from 2-0 down despite it happening twice before and once with ten men for a fair chunk of the match), that penalty would've been scored and with ten minutes left ICT would've ran the clock down and won the League Cup. Sure we were disappointed that we never got it, but we accepted it and unfortunately didn't do the business and got beat. Disappointed? Yes. Had the penalty been given, would things be different? Probably. Demand the club write a letter to the SFA and our fans indulge in some absolutely sickening abuse of the Aberdeen player who we can't we even remember which one it was? No. Using the Celtic Logic, it would be fair game, but we didn't. Who cares about all the success Celtic have had. In recent years, ICT have shown more class than your club ever will. You say the Celtic fans are demanding answers. Who cares? They're nothing but bad losers and (as anyone who's ever looked at that crackpot blogger Phil Mac...Mac...Mac...whatever his name is will tell you) a sizeable chunk are thick as mince. It's quite embarrassing that they've totally bowed down to them. Of course though, it's all about money. Thick-as-mince fans buy stuff and you wouldn't want to alienate your largest market... Finally, you say Celtic have a number of reasons to distrust the SFA? Why would that be? Is that these crackpot conspiracies involving Masons, the Triads, UFOs and all the rest of it? Utterly cringeworthy, with Celtic once again attempting to create a vehicle for their thick fans to vent their anger out. I'll tell you this, I'd find it hard to support a club like that. Post of the year (sorry KingBeastie!)

I was 37 at the time and so did I.......

We are not appealing. We are defending the charge.

Celtic supporters solely have caused this entire sorry @ssed situation. I have followed ICT since the 3rd division and experienced many, many highs and lows over the past 2 decades plus. We have just reached our first ever Scottish Cup Final. We played better on the day. We merited our victory. Even if we hadn't, and we had won the game with a lucky 89th minute own goal, the fact is we have just reached our first ever Scottish Cup Final. The feeling on Sunday was fantastic, one of the best I've had on my ICT journey - now?... Now I'm just extremely angry at the whole pathetic shambles your fans have created. A great feeling that should have lasted all week, ruined by your fans because they cannot accept that they were beaten. Yes - the ref has messed up. Yes - you should have had a penalty. Was the handball deliberate? Not for a second. It's quite reasonable to believe that the linesman behind the goal thought the ball had hit Josh in the face/head. And that is what he told the ref immediately. Either way - he was still wrong. Unfair decisions have affected every club in Scotland. Every club in Europe. Every club in the world. Yet your fans have to go out complaining it's not fair, and demand something happens. And what has happened? - An honest, young player has been thrust into the world media, received disgusting abuse and been made to feel like a cheat. Josh is not a cheat. It was handball - it was not deliberate. - Our fans are left talking about this pathetic story rather than enjoying a fantastic achievement and an historic day in our clubs journey. - Scottish football had been made to look even more ridiculous. And who's caused this? Your fans. Your club. Why? Because you are nothing more than sore losers. This entire sorry @ssed, pathetic, embarrassment has been caused by your fans and your club. For years we've seen rangers claim they are too big for Scottish football - and now you're too big to lose in a cup game or to have a bad decision go against you? Your fans have damaged the perception of your club throughout Scotland and further afield far worse than a bad officiating error has tarnished our game. So you'll excuse me and many of my fellow football supporters if we don't meekly accept that you were right to do what you've done and if our club stands up for itself this time. As far as this poster is concerned you can f**k off and leave the rest of us to get on with things - you've caused enough trouble as it is. I now fully expect a warning or a ban from the mods for this rant. That's a ban that's acceptable and won't be contested. If I could multiple like this post I would. Brilliantly conveys the essence of what I think of this sorry episode ... apart from maybe the expletive at the end (which I can understand but not condone). Well said that man.

Meekings Raven Warren Devine Shinnie Tansey Polworth Watkins Ross Doran Ofere

Josh's culpability requires to be proved but not beyond reasonable doubt. He has not been charged with a criminal offence. Correct. If culpability is beyond resonable doubt then you get let off. This has been demonstrated by Ciftci's various appearences before the panels.

Would have thought 12.15 would be more appropriate!! probably about an hour before the first bus or train from Inverness arrives in Glasgow

The charge is, however, criminal

...hadn't seen this from FIFA head of refs: Boyce said: “This decision to suspend the player is setting a very, very dangerous precedent. “FIFA allow associations to make their own decisions but if this decision stands and Inverness feel it is unjust they would have every right to bring this matter up with the powers that be at FIFA.” (Daily Record) Bring it on!

So D-Day in Meekingsgate has arrived. I really don't know which way this will go. Given that the compliance officer only gets involved for incidents not seen by the officials, you have to assumre that the referee's report has no mention of the incident and that they will all claim not to have seen it. Watching the video again, the movement of the arm is not in Josh's favour, but the position of his head is. Unfortunately, all the furore in the background is irrelevant for the panel now that it has reached this stage. My hope is that the SFA will realise that they have bitten off more than they can chew and someone will have a word in the ear of the panel members to suggest that if there is any element of doubt, they should return a "not proven" verdict. Let's face it, if even Neil Lennon thinks this is a nonsense, it really must be obvious to every man and his dog.

Basically if it was deliberate. It would have been seen !

Falkirk will be much happier to have us than Celtic in the Final. We have a pitiful record against them and the Cup is by no means won yet! I just hope we're not complacent.

I now want to see Maradona carpeted and banned for the "hand of god' incident in 1986 and the World Cup final stages of the tournament replayed as a matter of course even if we have to bring out all the old players and have them replay it all. This would be consistent with the way the SFA approach a missed hand ball in a match. Petitions anyone?

Watching Juventus v Monaco in the Champions League - will be good to see some top level refereeing - wonder who the ref is....ah, it's Willie Collum! I kid you not, as I write - 45 seconds in, the first yellow card is out!!!

If we underestimate Falkirk in the slightest then we will deserve to be punished in the same way as we have punished teams who were arrogant enough to dismiss us. ....... They got to the final on merit, just like us, and demand respect. With Yogi having been a Falkirk player and Manager, cant see him taking them too lightly !

I always had a soft spot for Celtic as they were my boyhood "Big Team". Not any more! That was about as low as they could get, and I can't see how I can now consider them with anything but contempt. Fortunately justice was done today and a major embarrassment to Scottish football averted.

Ironic thread title! There are plenty Inverness fans who have never had any affiliation for either of that pair. Your casual reference of supporting Celtic but have changed to ICT suggests too much time interchanging clubs on a PC game - rather than having to literally live out the reality of supporting a wee club like us versus the sickening institution that is Celtic. The religion, bigotry, self-righteousness, and many more unmentionables, make that club one of whom nobody can be proudly associated. There is simply a HUGE cultural divide! It is inconceivable to me that one day, you support Celtic, but the next, Caley Thistle! Ouch.....I have to disagree, in my opinion, those fans who once supported other clubs even Celtic and Rangers are just as valued and welcome as fans of ICT as those of us who once stood on the terraces of Kingsmills and Telford Street. In the days of highland league football, when having a team in the SFL, never mind the top flight, seemed a distant dream, it was not unusual to support a 'big' team. Even when we got into the league there weren't many conflicts of interest between ICT and the big team. For me, the cup tie at Tynecastle defined the true pecking order. Following from afar, the roar I let out when the second went in told me exactly where my loyalties lay.

Er...what's Twitter.?

As excited as i am for this final. Occasionally i cant help but think about the Challenge Cup Final of 1999 where we got beat on pens by Alloa. I was 10 at the time and was so devastated i cried all the way home lol So yes, lets beware and be ready for what is likely going to be a tough match

On Twitter, Martin Dowden (BBC) : "David Raven reveals he'll sign a one year contract extension just days after his goal earned #ictfc a place in the Scot Cup final".

Would have thought 12.15 would be more appropriate!!

Was listening to Sportsound last night and Yogi was on air with them and he did say that 4/5 players may not be staying with the club next which also may include Edward Ofere and Tarmo Kink. I would fully expect Ofere to be here next season unless another team offers more money than us for him, I'm not so sure about Kink. There's been word of Nick Ross to Ross County (Which is in the rumour thread) and he was also quoted in the newspaper at the weekend that he looked like leaving. I'm not so sure Daniel Devine will stay, I wouldn't blame him either with the lack of game time. You also have Horner and Polworth, they may probably stay due to them being quite young still.