Askou calls for consistency after Slattery ban

Callum Slattery's four-game ban for simulation will only lead to a change in culture if consistency is applied, argues Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou.

The Danish boss worries the decision, if it is not followed by a wider clampdown, could mean the Scottish FA "risk losing trust" from those they "are here to serve".

Slattery received the retrospective punishment for deceiving match officials in Motherwell's 5-0 win away at St Mirren in February.

Richard King was sent off after the Motherwell midfielder's off-the-ball reaction, with the red card later rescinded and the latter cited by the SFA compliance officer.

With half of the ban imposed by a panel suspended, the 27-year-old will miss Saturday's home game with Falkirk and the following Premiership trip to Hearts.

"Time will tell whether it's the start of a change of culture, or whether it's a perfect recipe for a governing body to risk losing trust from the people they are here to serve," Askou said.

"Obviously it's a big blow for us. Whether we agree or not on what they have concluded, on the evidence that they have submitted, that's a different story.

"We have to accept it and try and learn from this case."

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".

He 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."