Calls for foreign referees are not new in the Scottish game, but refs have successfully resisted the idea. It is in their economic interests to have only Scottish referees take charge of Scottish games, and, most of all, they want control of the country’s biggest games. The argument has been that if a referee works his way through the system for years, he should not be denied the opportunity to take control of the biggest games in the land.
The SFA have been sympathetic to this argument for decades but are now confronted by the country’s major clubs telling them standards are not good enough to support the game at the level it is being played at in Scotland. A window of unanimity opened when the rent-a-statements across the city were twice hit by extended bans in a week, making it difficult for them to avoid the follow on question, “If things are not good enough, why not ask for change?”
Behind this issue lies a longstanding desire for Scottish Premiership clubs to see the SFA focus more on administering youth and amateur football, and the international team, leaving the professional game to the SPFL, where appropriate performance standards across a range of issues can be set.
Those who want a fair and open game have nothing to fear from foreign referees. Arguments against this proposal amount to little more than an expression of self-interest. I suggest we move quickly before some realise that decades old affinities are at risk.
I see Newco are reinforcing their 8 point deficit bunker with volleys at the BBC. It is comforting to preach to the choir but it is also pointless. The BBC is a broadcasting mammoth. It employs over 20,000 staff and churns out an enormous volume of material. Its power bases are geographically, culturally, politically and ethnically diverse. Try conspiring in an organisation with 20 people and you’ll see why.
It will get things wrong. It will employ people whose views you do not like and its protocols will infuriate you – after all, they must search for hours trying to find some loon to ‘balance’ all the sense coming from a prevailing opinion (a personal gripe). But in the history of broadcasting and media, no organisation has been subject to as vigorous and accessible oversight. It is not intellectually honest to suggest otherwise.
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hail hail
hail hail again.
the huns are goin skint
again
e huns are goin skint again
oh you better
the huns are oin skint SKINT SKINT
SEVEN TOO MUCH FOR ME.
OK NINE
HAS TEN EVER BEEN DONE BEFORE
Didn’t want to interrupt…
Coneybhoy from last article – thanks for the advice.
Why is El Snortalo available for tonight but McShagger isnt ?.
FAVOURITE UNCLE
Spoiler Alert I done ten a few weeks ago ! Sorry !!
PARK ROAD 67 on 20TH FEBRUARY 2019 11:23 AM
fancy getting T SHIRTS printed .10 ‘n a row 10’n a row.
Favorite Uncle: I hope you enjoyed your recent visit to Dublin. I left a few messages here for you.
I would welcome foreign refs but there’s no guarantee that they won’t become assimilated to the ‘establishment’ way of thinking over time.
BBC Scotland is a vile organisation….
Yes Sevco have an awful lot to say about the BBC, and have even come up with a plan to improve their output: https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2019/02/19/stewart-robertsons-four-point-plan-to-improve-sportscene/
And I see Jim Traynor himself has decided to front up the whining! https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2019/02/19/an-update-from-the-keeper-of-squirrels/
Hi Paul67,
Yes, excellent points with regard to SPFL match officiating. This is well overdue, using the same officials the English and Welsh Clubs do would be the easiest and most professional way forward.
If the top Scottish referees are good enough, they can become employed by this organisation.
The SFA concentrating on the National teams, grass roots and youth development is the way forward. Our lack of a national youth academy worthy of the name is a disgrace.
The Scottish Referee cabal overcooked it this Season. Like in 2010 when Rangers were desperately in need of European Cash.
Two differences, the “strike” stunt, may have worked but it is a play one time joker.
Secondly, Sevco Rangers opposition is much more wide spread than Traditional Rangers.
Trad Rangers had to best Celtic… Celtic complained about match officiating.
Sevco Rangers have to best Hibs, Hearts, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock etc etc as well as Celtic… So now you have many top Clubs complaining…
“Those who want a fair and open game have nothing to fear from foreign referees. Arguments against this proposal amount to little more than an expression of self-interest. I suggest we move quickly before some realise that decades old affinities are at risk.”
Quite… The Officiating and “Compliance” was getting way beyond a joke, so a slight balancing was needed, a temporary fairness was brought in. Of course this has only brought rage from Ibrox… even to the point of the Airdrie Terrier baring his fangs…
This has forced a concenus and it must be acted upon in a quick and meaningful way…
Hail Hail
I see Jabba is in full Sevflection mode.
Where does Rookie G’s career go if the bold Clarke prevails tonight …..
ALMORE on 20TH FEBRUARY 2019 11:34 A
thanks ,we had a great time.SHELBOURNE was closed .
sorry i missed your message as it would have been good to meet up.keep me a place in the CAFE.
Ive just had a horrible thought. What if Steve Clark becomes The ORangers Manager when Slippy inevitably gets the sack? (shudder)!
In sunny Valencia. Valencia refusing to sell any tickets to anyone who doesn’t hold a Spanish passport or proof of residency.
Everywhere you turn there’s Celtic fans looking for tickets. It would be maddening if there’s empty seats in that ground tomorrow with thousands of fans desperate for tickets being locked out.
BBC as a whole is a propaganda machine, BBC Scotland on its own is nothing but a bastion of bigotry over the airwaves and on our screens
The Glorious Balance Sheet ,
bad news that . Do you know if TO will be open all day tomorrow or do they still shut for siesta ?
Arriving in Valencia about 1ish .
Sanna
F.U.B.A.R.BHOY @ 12:05 PM,
Doncha think it’s interesting that Steve Clarke wasn’t linked with the Hibs job??
Hail Hail
CB, I don’t think he would consider Hibs atm. His stock is rising, a win tonight would see many clubs take notice given the resources he has at his disposal, not least his opponents tonight. I’m sure BMCUWP said in the past he went to School with SC but don’t know if he’s a tim. Orangers have SG on a 4 year deal but another trophyless season may see them look elsewhere.
Jobo , sent you a text assuming I have right number (ends 56 ?)
Sanna
All for foreign refs, including English and Welsh ones. Let’s try and expedite this soon. Then get rid of the plastic pitches.
The BBT wouldn’t know impartial if it hit them on the ar$e. Any complaints and they investigate themselves and find “no evidence of any wrongdoing”. Where is the accountability?
However, to suggest that they are “anti ‘Rangers’ (sic)” simply beggars belief.
Maybe Mr Robertson could have pointed to instances of other players running around kicking opponents in the testicles and getting away with it.
Try looking at the behaviour of your own players or ask why your manager has failed to deal with these issues which have been going on all season.
I don’t consider the referee discussion to be foreign refs v Scottish refs.
Surely it’s about refs that a capable / competent. By using refs provided by an independent company we would get access to the best, or maybe second best depending on how much we are willing to pay. Can’t see the refs who currently officiate in the EPL taking on an SPFL game for a lesser pay.
So maybe we would get those which are used in the English Championship. Which of course maybe some of the refs who were “relegated” from the top league for a while.
And of course, the Scottish refs would be at liberty to seek employment from the provider with a chance of making it into the EPL sphere (aye right).
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD
Plastic is the scourge of the planet and almost impossible to eradicate.
Many on here have been critical of what they view as Plastic Paddies within our support.
Read recently about a Scottish entrepreneur building roads with recycled plastic.
Could this be a solution?
SUPERSUTTON
Absolutely.
Capable and competent should be the minimum expected for the well paid refs.
A system with zero accountability is always going to be a prisoner of human bias.
The real question is why such a situation exists?
FAN-A-TIC on 20TH FEBRUARY 2019 12:54 PM
Thats a great idea. Hope it happens.
Paul
‘ It is not intellectually honest to suggest otherwise.’
C’mon Paul…….intellect? Honesty?
This is Sevco we’re talking about!
Sannobhoy – nice to talk there and enjoy your trip. Fingers crossed you source a ticket.
I see a bit of media coverage given to Motherwell chief, Alan Burrow’s, denial of a claim by ex SPL chief, Roger Mitchell, that Scottish football is ‘WATP minded.’
Maybe I missed it while I was away, but I didn’t see much reporting of Mitchell’s comment – to my mind, a much bigger story – in the first place.
Agree 100% re. the refs. It matters not a jot if they ‘have come through the ranks’. If they are not good enough they shouldn’t be anywhere near a top flight game.
Perhaps the mere threat of foreign refs may focus their minds.
Completely disgree re. the Beeb. The sports dept. in Scotland seems completely unaccountable and often exhibits agenda driven bias.
Simple test: get them to mention Rangers and liquidation in the same sentence.
F.U.B.A.R.BHOY @ 12:30 PM,
Yes, he’s certainly a rising star… Very, very good manager who works well with the resources at his disposal…
Can’t fully remember but think BMCUW said he was a Killie fan.
Yes, another bump in the road or two… getting knocked out the Cup, dropping SPL points will see Steven Gerrard under enormous pressure. If he loses to us an awe… oh dear!!
He doesn’t seem to be reacting too well to the relatively easy ride he’s had… it’s going to get worse before it gets… worser:)
Hail Hail