The Trade Union for Scottish football’s referees has responded to earlier reports that clubs are set to demand overseas referees.
The Prospect Scottish Football Referees group released a statement damning the suggestion first reported on by Keith Jackson in The Daily Record. Read our story on that HERE.
The referee’s Trade Union have described the story as another “appalling development” in the ongoing discussion over refereeing in Scotland.
Ian Perth, Negotiations Officer for the group, pointed the finger at the SFA.
He said: “Everyone involved agrees that the professionalism and standards in many area of Scottish football needs to be driven up.
“At present the association continues to refuse to afford basic ‘worker’ status as they carry out their vital duties.”
Refereeing Trade Union angered at suggestion
The refereeing body are clearly peeved at the suggestion. And why shouldn’t they be? The notion we shouldn’t improve our own officials through any of the other methods available and pull the plug on them seems hairbrained.
It also panders to most ardent of religious conspiracy theorists in the country. There are numerous other routes the country can take. From full-time referees or the Steven Gerrard endorsed path of VAR. Drafting in referees from abroad is tired and desperate.
The Daily Record claim the suggestion came out of a “stormy” meeting between all 12 top flight clubs, SFA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell and also Compliance Officer Clare Whyte, among others.
The paper also claims the move is being championed by Celtic but has support from other clubs. There’s absolutely no confirmation that includes Rangers.
But the Ibrox side find themselves at the centre of the wider discussion on referees and even
Scotland boss Alex McLeish then waded into the discussion by telling supporters to give referees a “break” (BBC Scotland).
