Refs Chief Calls For Saudi Action

Photo by Jeff Holmes

The head of Scotland's referees union has called on Saudi Arabian football chiefs to punish a player who head-butted SPFL official John Beaton.

The Motherwell-born whistler took charge of the powder-keg Riyadh derby between Al Hilal and Al Nasr on Sunday after a request from the Saudi Football Association to its Scottish counterpart.

Hampden bosses sent Beaton and assistant referees Stuart Stevenson and Douglas Ross but they found themselves in the midst of an explosive clash.

Beaton produced eight yellow cards and sent-off three players as Al Nasr claimed a 1-0 win.

The third dismissal came deep into stoppage-time at the King Fahd Stadium when 23-year-old Al Hilal midfielder Salem Al Dawsari reacted angrily to a foul being given against him.

After squaring up to Beaton, he then thrust his head towards the Scotman's - earning an instant red card.

Al Dawsari had to be led away by his team-mates as he tried to lunge at the ref after the final whistle.

James Bee, chairman of the Scottish Senior Football Referees Association, says Saudi chiefs must make an example of Al Dawsari by throwing the book at him.

In a statement, Bee said: "This type of behaviour is unacceptable in any country and no referee should be treated in this way.

"Assaults or attempted assaults on match officials should be met with zero tolerance. John Beaton dealt with the incident correctly on the field of play and the appropriate authorities should deal with the matter correctly off it.

"The most important thing for us though is that, thankfully, John does not appear to have been physically harmed in the incident."