Scottish FA in touch with Police after referee's personal details leaked

Kevin Clancy had his personal and professional contact details published online following Saturday's match between Celtic and Rangers

Author: Lewis MichiePublished 10th Apr 2023
Last updated 11th Apr 2023

The Scottish FA has contacted the police after the professional and personal contact details of referee Kevin Clancy were published online.

They've also referred a "significant volume of threatening and abusive emails" to detectives.

It follows Clancy taking charge of Saturday's match between Celtic and Rangers (April 8).

Hosts Celtic won the match, but the fixture was strewn in controversy after a goal from Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos was disallowed at 0-0.

The Scottish FA can also confirm the Referee Operations team have responded to Rangers’ request for an explanation for the disallowed goal.

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: “The nature of the messages goes way beyond criticism of performance and perceived decision-making - some are potentially criminal in nature and include threats and abuse towards Kevin and his family.

“We have referred the correspondence to the police and condemn this behaviour in the strongest possible terms, as well as the posting of a referee’s personal details online with the sole purpose of causing distress.

“Football is our national game. It improves and saves lives. Without referees, there is no game, and while decisions will always be debated with or without the use of VAR, we cannot allow a situation to develop where a referee’s privacy and safety, and those of his family, are compromised.

“We all have a responsibility to protect our game and those essential to it.”

Hear all the latest news from across the North of Scotland on MFR. Listen on FM, via our Rayo app, DAB, or smart speaker.