Ex-SFA official rages over ‘absolutely nuts’ controversy emerging at Rangers
Former Scottish FA official Steve Conroy claims it is “absolutely nuts” that players are starting to stir up hate towards referees after the Rangers and Celtic controversy on Saturday [8 April].
Kevin Clancy, who officiated Saturday’s fierce battle between the two sides, had to deal with threats made against him and his family after he ruled out Alfredo Morelos’ goal before Celtic went on to win 3-2 at Celtic Park.
And Conroy, speaking to the Daily Record [12 April], expressed his disbelief at the players’ actions and argued there is a danger of referees considering resorting to similar action as in 2010 when they withdrew their services amid personal safety being put at stake.
He said: “Back in 2010 everyone had the same feeling. Referees in this country were genuinely fearful that something was actually going to happen to one of us and that nobody was listening.
“Thankfully things did get a lot better after that, but someone has to speak to these people and who knows, maybe it’s happening behind the scenes? We can’t go back to the stage where referees are genuinely afraid for their own safety and the safety of their kids. That would take us back into dangerous territory.
“I know that these people are playing to their own audience but it’s a dangerous thing to do. It doesn’t matter what team you support, we all know there are people who will resort to what I would call unsavoury tactics at the least provocation.
“The more it is stirred up, the more chance there is of that happening. That’s why it has to be a team effort and it has to be joined up before anything serious happens to any of our guys.
“I can’t get my head around why anyone would bother doing that kind of thing towards a referee. It’s absolutely nuts.”
Atrocious behaviour
Not everything can be blamed on Clancy after he controversially ruled out Morelos’ goal but the Gers may well have returned home with a point or three had it not been for their catalogue of errors in the game, especially from Souttar and Ben Davies in the Rangers defence.
Yes, Beale and his Rangers team are right to feel aggrieved at the decision but the former QPR coach won’t be happy about his players’ dreadful and atrocious behaviour towards Clancy which has only now gone and stirred up hate towards the official and his family which is totally unacceptable.
Of course, referees have been heavily scrutinised across the UK for their poor decision-making or a lack of it, but no official should have to fear for their safety because of it.
Yes, the standard of officiating should be better and held to a more quality standard which certainly hasn’t helped the authorities one bit, but seeing Clancy receiving alleged death threats really is uncomfortable and sets a bad precedent for other officials who could well choose to quit if things don’t improve.
It is the job of all parties, including the players, coaches, football authorities and the referees themselves to work together to bring some level of calm, especially in these highly engrossing fixtures.
In other Rangers news, Michael Beale has been tipped for £15million room for manoeuvre in the transfer market this summer.