Scottish Referees Claim 'Personal Criticism' Is 'Unacceptable'

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Scottish referees claim the most recent examples of the "ongoing trend of personal and unjust criticism" towards top officials was "unacceptable."

A statement issued by category one official Crawford Allan, Scottish Senior Football Referees Association chairman, comes after referee Willie Collum was criticised by Robbie Neilson on Saturday following Hearts' first defeat of the season at Hamilton.

The Gorgie head coach disputed Callum Paterson's dismissal for a challenge on Darian MacKinnon with the visitors leading 2-1 and after the 3-2 defeat he said: "This game, with the officials we were getting, we knew there was a high probability of a man being sent off and it's happened again."

Inverness manager John Hughes also criticised referee Andrew Dallas after the 1-1 draw at Dundee, saying the official "brought a nervousness to the game which didn't help" and wasn't "ready" to referee top flight football with Scottish Football Association compliance officer Tony McGlennan likely to review the comments made by both bosses.

Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan defended Scottish officials on Monday, saying, "Our referees are operating at a very high standard, we are punching above our weight. It's just unfortunate referees are sometimes whipping boys for other performances on the field."

The referees' association statement read: "The Scottish Senior Football Referees Association (SSFRA) is compelled to express its disappointment at the ongoing trend of personal and unjust criticism towards our most senior match officials.

"The SSFRA is committed to supporting their members and colleagues, whilst at the same time safeguarding the recruitment and development of future referees.

"We believe the nature of comments made this weekend serve only to make the process of retention and recruitment more difficult - to the detriment of the whole game.

"Referees accept that decisions made during a match will be reviewed and scrutinised. However, the extent to which this criticism has become focused on individual match officials is a concern to the SSFRA, as is the unhealthy and unbalanced focus on refereeing decisions in media outlets.

"We believe the behaviour which manifested itself again at the weekend to be unacceptable but given these instances may be subject to Judicial Panel proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

"None the less, SSFRA was pleased to read comments from the Scottish FA Chief Executive, Stewart Regan, in support of the refereeing fraternity.

"Recently, the SSFRA has been elected to the newly formatted Scottish FA Congress, which supersedes Council, and we look forward to working together with colleagues at PFA Scotland and Coaches and Managers' Association - along with the wider Congress membership - to achieve a better mutual understanding and working relationship for all."