There was also disagreement over the actual version of events between Craven, McDonald, and SFA Head of Referee Development Hugh Dallas. [34], Grahame Smith, General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress supported the strike, describing any referee who officiated as a replacement, as a "scab". [1] The recently appointed manager of Hibernian, Colin Calderwood, was supportive of the strike, but insisted managers had the right to voice their opinions, detailing how there had been concerns in every match he been in charge of up to the strike, and suggested guidelines could be issued to managers on appropriate commentary of referees by managers. No-one is breaking union rules." Graeme Stewart and Calum Spence will run the line, while Greg Aitken is the fourth official. There's still a month to go before the Celtic and Rangers clash at Parkhead but the build-up has already began on the Hotline as Fraser Wilson discovered. [37], The SFA published the names of the referees appointed for the weekend fixtures on Friday 26 November, showing that the matches would be refereed by officials from Malta, Israel, Portugal and Luxembourg. When combined with significant weather disruption, the effect of the strike was that only four games went ahead, all in the SPL on 27 November, using replacement referees drawn from Israel, Luxembourg and Malta. He expressed doubt that had the strike not gone ahead, the same "desire for change" which had manifested in the SFA's announcements after the strike was called, would have occurred. 2017 Six Nations referees announced by World Rugby. Referees are reminded that goal nets and corner flags must be used in all matches under the auspices of the League. Sean Carr and John McCrossan will be assistant referees. World Rugby has revealedthe match officials for the 15 matches in the 2017RBS 6 Nations. McDonald had claimed that he had changed his mind after consulting with Craven, when in fact he had changed his mind himself before consulting Craven. The Scottish football referee strike refers to the unprecedented withdrawal of services by top level referees in Scottish football, following a dispute between the Scottish Senior Football Referees' Association and the Scottish Football Association. [25], According to The Daily Telegraph writing after the strike announcement, while "Celtic have remained at the centre of controversy", and excepting the statement from Hearts on 30 October, it stated that "other clubs and managers have refrained from any form of criticism [running up to the decision to strike] in a bid to ease the pressure". [36] On the eve of the strike, the Israeli FA stated it might not have sent referees had it been given the full story behind the request by the SFA, while the Luxembourg FA stated they had not been given the reasons behind the SFA's request, but that they had been following the dispute on the internet. The consequent negotiations, which were described by the referees as constructive, included the offer from the SFA of a ban on all immediate comment from managers on referees before and after games, and stricter sanctions for those who question referees integrity. About The Scottish Amateur Football Association, Scottish Amateur FA Website Terms and Conditions, Kelme Scottish Amateur Cup and Only Sport Sunday Trophy Draws, Only Sport Scottish Amateur Cup and Only Sport Sunday Trophy Dates 2021/22, The Kappa & Only Sport Scottish Amateur Cup, Soccer World North of Scotland Amateur Cup, Highland Amateur Cup Sponsored by Gow's Lybster Ltd, Only Sport Sunday West of Scotland Amateur Cup, Only Sport Sunday East of Scotland Amateur Cup, Sportsguard - Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, Notes for Referees & Misconduct Report Forms. 5. [59] Clark was commenting in the days after a Livingston v Rangers game, where someone in a section of Rangers supporters[60] hit an assistant referee with a coin. [2][9][10][11][12][13] While resisting calls for an independent inquiry into the McDonald incident, SFA chief executive Stewart Regan launched an inquiry to review how referees are disciplined, suggesting the current method of examination by a panel of mostly former referees was improper. The stopper hasn't forgotten the goal netted by the Gunners' forward in controversial fashion. After referee Dougie McDonald was found to have lied to his supervisor and Celtic manager Neil Lennon after a game on 17 October 2010, the ensuing controversy and debate led to referees voting to strike on 21 November in an attempt to achieve substantial changes in the game. [3][28] According to The Daily Telegraph, the English Premier League had insufficient numbers of free officials to be able to help. Brassed-off Livi boss fears there's a divide between officials and managers now as he calls for the two sides to stop taking themselves so seriously. The technology could make its way to Scottish football as early as next year. Jim Goodwin calls for Rangers referee 'bravery' as St Mirren manager points to unique penalty stat. [27], Former Scottish referee Kenny Clark said that the reason for the strike was that referees were at "the end of their tether" over the effect criticism of their decisions was having on themselves, their families, and their professional lives. [45] Aberdeen players protested when Hacmon awarded a penalty kick against them during the match, but BBC Sport commented that it appeared to be a simple decision, as goalkeeper Jamie Langfield had impeded Alexei Eremenko. [28] The Portuguese referees had been due to officiate the matches at Hibernian on Saturday and Motherwell on Sunday. 10. My main focusses from the refereeing side will be help develop the technical side but also the human element. [7][8] Celtic officials heavily criticised the decision to not award a penalty after the game. [30], It was initially advised on Thursday that 11 of the 20 scheduled games would proceed, including all SPL games, with all but one Scottish Football League match postponed.

[33], The SNP Leader and First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond, Scottish Labour Party Sport spokesperson Bill Butler, and Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Tavish Scott, all expressed their hope that the strike could be avoided through discussion between the referees and the SFA. Sebastian Coltescu was accused of making a racist comment last night towards coach Pierre Webo. However, with a busy festive period ahead theyve taken the step to confirm officials for all five matches. [43][44], One of the Israeli officials, Eli Hacmon, commented after refereeing the match between Kilmarnock and Aberdeen that no-one had explained to him why the referees were on strike before he travelled to Scotland. n.b. We hope the right people can sit down with referees and play a full part in delivering the real changes required." [14] According to The Telegraph recounting the McDonald incident on the eve of the strike, "the rules do not permit McDonald to be sacked", and having declined to resign as the newspaper alleged some at the SFA felt he should, he subsequently returned to the referees roster. Referees must send team lines to reach League Secretary by first post on Tuesday following date of the match. Comical Celtic moaners can't twig why Rangers are so good because the truth is too painful - Hotline. [18] Lennon then received a two match touchline ban after heavily criticising decisions by referee Craig Thomson and his team during a 20 away defeat to Hearts on 10 November. He will also be responsible for Scottish Rugbys Referee Talent ID programme. [28] David Longmuir, chief executive of the SFL, reiterated that they had admiration and support for referees, but that "as a result of the action, many of our clubs and supporters will feel let down". Another weekend of controversial refereeing decisions dominates the airwaves as Fraser Wilson takes your calls. Executive Note sets out a brief statement of the purpose of a Scottish Statutory Instrument and provides information about its policy objective and policy implications. [38] These appointments were thrown into confusion, however, when the Portuguese officials returned home soon after arriving at Glasgow Airport. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/5614/soc-soc-racingpost', [[300, 250], [300, 600]], 'div-gpt-ad-1158876267099-0').setTargeting('pos', ['one']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); For more information see the EUR-Lex public statement on re-use. 'Amazing' Bobby Madden given Greek FA backing after controversial performance in powderkeg Athens derby. John is the Managing Editor of 67 Hail Hail, a Celtic season ticket holder and still loves Paul McStay.

In other news, SPFL boss calls for drastic action that could greatly benefit Celtic this winter. Celtic might not like referees but Kyogo's offside winning goal proves they love linesmen - Hotline. [1] Another former Scottish referee Stuart Dougal said he believed that the SFA had not "been strong enough to come out in defence of referees" since the McDonald incident, and that while referees accepted criticism, "When there is innuendo, and questioning the referee's integrity, that's when it becomes unacceptable". Fraser Wilson takes your calls as Celtic boss' comments on referee backfire. var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; (function() { var gads = document.createElement('script'); gads.async = true; gads.type = 'text/javascript'; var useSSL = 'https:' == document.location.protocol; gads.src = (useSSL ? [17] He also claimed that the media reaction to his club's recent questioning of referees as having been blown out of proportion, and that their actions were not out of the ordinary compared to other clubs. It affected 20 matches scheduled for the weekend of 27/28 November 2010 in the Scottish Premier League, the Scottish Football League, the Scottish Cup, as well as the 2010 Scottish Challenge Cup Final. [1] Until the 2010 dispute, there had never been a referees strike before in Scottish football. When a report about a match is required this should be sent direct to League Secretary along with team lines. A week of claim and counterclaim over players' on-field antics and referees' performances refuses to die down as Fraser Wilson mans the Hotline. data is for chosen competition / season combination; click referee to see all games in chosen season,