Appeal victory for Berti

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) Appeals Committee today upheld an appeal by the Argentinian Sergio Berti against a decision by the Scottish Premier League (SPL) to confirm his contract termination from Livingston FC.

Gross misconduct
Livingston sacked Berti in August on the grounds of gross misconduct after he reportedly spat at a team-mate during a pre-season friendly against English amateur side Morecambe FC. The midfield player subsequently appealed to the SPL under the rights of his contract.

Lengthy meeting
The SPL upheld Livingston's decision, prompting Berti to turn to the SFA. Today's hearing at Hampden Park, Glasgow, lasted more than four hours and was attended by the player and officials from the SPL and Livingston, together with legal representation and an interpreter.

’Thorough and fair’
The SFA's decision means the penalty of contract termination no longer stands. However, the case prompted the SFA to release this statement: "This decision does not mean in any way that the SFA condones spitting. The hearing was extensive, thorough and fair, and the members of the Appeals Committee were unanimous in reaching their decision."

World Cup
Berti, formerly with CA River Plate, CA Boca Juniors and Parma AC, won 22 caps for his country and was a member of the Argentina squad which reached the quarter-finals of the 1998 FIFA World Cup.