SFA take action against Michael Stewart as 'free Mikey' banner emerges amid pundit's Hampden ban
The former Hearts and Hibs star has been banned from Hampden by the SFA.
Premier Sports have stated that Michael Stewart has been banned from the ‘footprint’ of Hampden Park as a stand-off between the pundit and Scottish FA continues.
The former Hearts and Hibs midfielder has been banished from the national stadium in Mount Florida amid criticisms of refereeing in Scottish football. Premier Sports stood by the pundit and got creative to have him involved in Saturday’s coverage of Dunfermline Athletic’s Scottish Cup semi-final penalty shootout win over Falkirk via a production truck. Even that access has now been revoked, but Stewart did tweet a video of himself ahead of the second semi between Celtic and St Mirren on Sunday, with Lesser Hampden visible in the background.
Speaking during TV coverage, which featured Charlie Mulgrew, Neil Lennon and Jim Goodwin with Stewart not present, host Emma Dodds confirmed the ban has gone beyond inside the stadium. She said: "He (Stewart) has now been banned from the footprint of Hampden. It was our intention to have him with us here as part of our show today but that is not possible.
Why has Michael Stewart been banned from Hampden?
"Here is a statement on behalf of Premier Sports: 'The SFA have written to Premier Sports to say that Michael is not welcome in the broadcast truck situated in the car park at Hampden. Premier Sports see this as a direct attempt to censor one of the valued members of our team.
"As a broadcast partner of the SFA, we are very disappointed with this position. Michael won't be a part of our coverage today but we will welcome him back soon."
That was not the last time it was mentioned in the broadcaster’s coverage. An image of a fan with a banner that read ‘Free Mikey’ was spotted as Dodds said: “Michael Stewart is not with us today but the fans have got his back. The St Mirren fans here, ‘free Mikey,’ if you are watching. We are all thinking of you, Michael.”
Michael Stewart on being banned by the SFA
Mulgrew was seeing the light-hearted side of it and the ex-Celtic defender said ‘I can’t believe he’s paid someone to put a sign up for him at Hampden, that’s madness!’ Talk of Stewart continued into the early throes of commentary as lead commentator Rory Hamilton said: “If you haven’t seen the news, my usual partner on the gantry in Michael Stewart is not here at the national stadium, having been banned by the SFA. We hope to welcome him back soon but alongside me are former Scotland international and the man who awaits the winner of this contest, (Dunfermline manager) Neil Lennon.”
Stewart also works for BBC Sport Scotland while Premier’s next match is the Dundee derby on April 26th. He is also a regular on their Social Club show, and commenting on the situation during Saturday’s first Scottish Cup final, Stewart said: "I've been banished to the car park here! Which is not quite as salubrious as inside the stadium. But I am very grateful for the support that from you guys, the broadcasters and many people who have got in touch with me. It genuinely means a lot. It's a bit of a farcical situation that a supposed association have got themselves into here.”
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