Just a lesson for Motherwell, asks Askou after Slattery ban

When the penalty for Slattery was announced, Motherwell remarked that “a third layer of refereeing has now been implemented”, adding: “All clubs have witnessed similar incidents in games, which haven’t resulted in retrospective bans.”

Askou made a similar argument while stressing his objection to players behaving “dishonestly”.

The Dane said: “Do I applaud a governing body that does everything they can to strike down against players, in principle, who try to win advantages by acting cynically or dishonestly? Yes, I most certainly do.

“I think there’s plenty of opportunities to do that in every game.

“Now the governing body has taken this opportunity to do it and, whether it will just be a lesson for us, or whether it will be the start of changing a culture, time will tell.”

Askou expressed surprise at the the severity of the ban, explaining: “If you get caught doing it in the game then I think the most you can get is a booking.

“Of course, if they think that’s what it takes to change a culture then obviously that’s what they’ve decided.

“We have to trust that there will be consistency in these cases going forward.”