Scotland's coaching staff have been sanctioned by UEFA for disciplinary breaches during recent matches, with head coach Sebastien Pocognoli receiving a formal warning and Under-21 coaches Tony Docherty and Steven Naismith handed one-match touchline bans. The governing body confirmed the punishments this week, impacting the national team's setup ahead of November's Nations League fixtures.
Pocognoli was held responsible for causing a delayed kick-off in his first match in charge, the goalless draw away to Slovenia on September 26. UEFA also fined the Slovenian FA £1,250 for supporters throwing missiles during that match. The warning comes as Scotland prepares for a home match against FYR Macedonia on November 13, following a recent 1-2 loss to the same Slovenian side on October 6.
Tony Docherty and Steven Naismith were sent off in the 82nd minute of an Under-21 European Championship qualifier against Bulgaria after entering the field of play. The trouble erupted following a heavy challenge by Bulgaria defender Simeon Shishkov on Dunfermline youngster Dylan Lobban. UEFA stated that "Docherty and Naismith will now be forced to watch the Under-21s’ next match from the stands as a result of their dismissals." Bulgaria's Shishkov received a one-match suspension for rough conduct, and their fitness coach Svetlin Spasov was also sanctioned.
Docherty, who replaced long-serving Scot Gemmil as Under-21 head coach in the summer, had won both of his opening matches in charge. His side beat Azerbaijan 4-2 at Rugby Park and secured a 2-0 victory in Pazardzhik. The team, which finished third in its qualifying group behind Czechia and Portugal, is scheduled to play friendlies against Ukraine and the USA in Spain next month.
The disciplinary issues add to a challenging period for the senior side, which has recorded one win, one draw and two defeats in its last four matches. After beating FYR Macedonia 0-2 away on October 3, Scotland fell to a 1-2 home defeat to Slovenia four days later, with goals from Ryan Christie and Slovenian duo Aljosa Matko and Danijel Sturm. The team's fixtures schedule now focuses on the return match against FYR Macedonia at Hampden Park in November.
Further compounding selection concerns, a 54-cap Scotland star is a major doubt for that upcoming Nations League double-header. The squad's recent form and these off-field distractions present a significant test for Pocognoli as he looks to steer Scotland up the standings. The team will regroup for the key home fixture against FYR Macedonia on Friday, November 13.
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UEFA has confirmed its disciplinary decisions. Sebastien Pocognoli received a formal warning for delaying kick-off in his first match, the 0-0 draw in Slovenia on September 26. Tony Docherty and Steven Naismith were given one-match touchline bans for unsporting conduct after entering the field during an Under-21 qualifier. UEFA stated the bans were for "unsporting conduct." The senior side's recent form is 1W-1D-2L, with the next fixture at home to FYR Macedonia on November 13.
