Ross County chief executive Steven Ferguson condemned the Livingston supporter who was accused of spitting on assistant boss Carl Tremarco at the end of the 1-1 draw between the teams in the first leg of the Premiership play-off final.
There was a commotion beside the County technical area just as the full-time whistle went at Almondvale after Ronan Hale’s stoppage-time penalty cancelled out Danny Wilson’s first-half opener for the Lions.
County coaches and players were visibly irate after being confronted by a home supporter at the front of the stand.
“Obviously, there’s been a reaction at the dugout and it was pretty clear for everybody that a Livingston supporter’s spat in the face of one of our staff,” he said.
“I get that emotions are high, you’ve got two teams that have got a lot at stake fighting it out on the pitch. But we as a football club can’t accept somebody spitting in the face of one of our staff.
“That doesn’t belong in football and doesn’t belong anywhere so we’re disappointed in that. But what I will say is Paul and his team at Livingston were excellent and very quick to react. I think they all agree that spitting in somebody’s face just should never happen.
“You’ve got two teams being as honest as the day’s long out on the pitch, and for that to happen at the end is just unacceptable.”
Ferguson confirmed that the culprit had been identified.
“It’s outwith my hands now, the people that need to know about it know about it,” he said.
Asked how Tremarco was in the aftermath of the incident, Ferguson said: “He certainly wasn’t expecting that. There were words exchanged, which we all see. Again, I’ll state the emotions are high.
“Their team’s conceded a penalty kick in the last seconds of the game, so I totally understand that. We can understand the emotion, but I think that’s definitely crossed the line.
“Carl’s fine. He’s cleaned himself up and he’s obviously disappointed but he’ll be absolutely fine.”
Livingston manager David Martindale apologised to County on behalf of his club.
“I’m not really too versed about what happened but from what I’ve heard, it’s disgusting, it’s vile,” he said.
“It’s not a reflection on our full fanbase, it’s an individual but it’s really disappointing. I can just apologise on behalf of the club. I’m sure the powers that be at the club will deal with it promptly and efficiently.”
