Alan Forrest, the Hearts winger, has successfully appealed his yellow card sustained for simulation during the club’s 2-2 draw with Ross County on Saturday.
Steven Naismith, however, remains “bitterly disappointed” given that he felt his side were denied a stonewall penalty that could have led to all three points in the game.
An SFA tribunal have exonerated Forrest from any diving claims but the bad taste will linger with the Hearts manager.
“I’m pleased for Alan,” he said. “You will not meet a more honest player and his reputation has been restored.
“I am, however, still left bitterly disappointed by the whole situation.
“While we applaud the decision made by the tribunal, it merely confirms what we all knew at the time, that there was no dive and therefore it is not unreasonable to have expected a penalty award, giving us the opportunity to take a step towards winning the game and securing all three points.
“I have long been an advocate of VAR because it should ensure the right decisions are being made. On this occasion, and on others before it – away to Motherwell and at home to St Johnstone – and subsequently only two days ago at Livingston when pictures showed Lawrence Shankland having his jersey pulled over his head inside the opposition’s penalty box, VAR has failed to make the right decision.
“This is simply not acceptable and I will, once again, be seeking an explanation from the Head of Referee Operations as to why these decisions continue to be made to our detriment.”
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