Motherwell have claimed that match referee Bobby Madden was talked into changing his mind when he sent off their club captain Keith Lasley during last weekend’s heavy defeat at Pittodrie.

The midfielder was shown the red card during the closing stages of the 4-1 loss for what was deemed serious foul play as he clashed with Aberdeen’s Kenny McLean.

However while a statement issued on the club’s official website praised the official for his overall handling of the game, it also contained the suggestion that he “appeared to initially deem the tackle a bookable offence and had the yellow card in his hand, but changed his mind, presumably on the advice of another official.”

They are consequently appealing the decision, with manager Mark McGhee indicating that he believes closer scrutiny will clear Lasley, particularly when it is placed in the wider context of the match as a whole.

The Scotland assistant boss felt that his player’s challenge had not been malicious while he also reckoned there had been at least one other in the course of the game that had not seen the perpetrator sent off.

“Having watched it back several times, I thought it was more of a tired, mistimed tackle, rather than one that was reckless, violent or with intent to hurt the opponent,” he said.

“There was another tackle earlier in the game that was fairly similar in many ways, that resulted in a booking, which is why I was surprised at the red card.

“Obviously Bobby, who I thought had a good game overall, had the yellow in his hand and he’s changed his mind, which he’s perfectly entitled to do, but I think his initial gut reaction to the challenge was the correct one.”

While questioning how Madden had come to his decision Motherwell were meanwhile keen to express their confidence in the judicial system that will decide Lasley’s fate.

“Our Football Administrator Karen Paterson has already submitted a Player Reference for Fast Tracking proceeding to the Compliance Officer, and will follow that with the relevant evidence tomorrow,” said the club’s General Manager Alan Burrows.

“We’ve only ever had fair and thorough experience when we’ve appealed Stephen McManus and Scott McDonald’s incorrect red cards and I expect the same again in this instance.”

The SFA has notified the club the hearing will take place on Thursday May 12.