The Scottish Football Association is to issue statements over controversial refereeing decisions in all domestic matches from the start of next season. An official will contact Hugh Dallas, the SFA’s head of referee development, on the day of the match to explain the decision that followed an incident. Dallas will, then review available footage before issuing a statement clarifying the referee’s decision. The SFA sees this as a way of dealing with potential controversy quickly.
Its reluctance to comment on controversial decisions has been a source of frustration for club managers.
Gordon Smith, the SFA chief executive, called for more respect to be shown towards referees following an incident where Motherwell players reacted angrily towards referee Craig Thomson during a match against Hearts in February 2008. Hearts scored after Thomson waved the action on following a knock to the head to Motherwell’s David Clarkson.
Then, last May, Dundee United manager Craig Levein called for greater accountability and transparency for referees in Scotland. Levein was unhappy about several decisions made by referee Mike McCurry in a 3-1 defeat by Rangers. Last December, the Scottish Premier League’s 12 managers agreed to refrain from speaking out about controversial refereeing decisions.
SPL chairman Lex Gold said at the time that the managers believed there was too much focus on refereeing decisions in post-match interviews.
Source: BBC Football
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