Neil Lennon defends his right to question decisions
Today’s farcical announcement from the SFA about Cravengate confirmed the suspicions of many Celtic supporters when it comes to refereeing matters.
Lennon has to take a diplomatic line when it comes to these matters- defending the club without overstepping the mark and condemning officials.
Letters to the SFA requesting clarification on refereeing matters in the last two matches has been met with criticism from various sources within and outwith the game.
Lennon has kept his cool admirably over the last fortnight and has no intention of ducking the serious issues when his side are on the receiving end of refereeing mistakes.
The Celtic boss told Channel 67 tonight: “People were saying after the Old Firm game that it’s sour grapes but we questioned the referee at Tannadice when we won the game so that’s not exactly sour grapes.
“We just want a fair reflection and an explanation of why these decisions are given.
“There was another decision that went against us on Wednesday night, at the time we didn’t make a big issue of it because it’s getting beyond ridiculous now the amount of press that’s coming at me.
“All that I’m doing is giving an honest assessment of a question that’s asked of me and people are making the most of this.”
Today’s statement from the SFA about the events at Tannadice confirm that Stewart Regan is the Chief Executive of the SFA in title only.
Any outsider looking at the behaviour of the officials at the match and subsequent actions of Hugh Dallas and his cronies would be demanding answers and probably resignations.
Regan’s acceptance of the situation proves beyond any doubt that those that fill the various SFA committee’s are the one’s with power with the CE a convenient mouthpiece for the public to identify with.
Amongst the many inconsistencies in the botched cover up was the claim that: “As is appropriate in these circumstances, Dougie, unprompted, decided to approach the assistant referee, Steven Craven, who had assumed the required position for the taking of the penalty.
“Dougie then asked Steven if he had seen the Dundee United goalkeeper, Dusan Pernis, touch the ball first and Steven confirmed that, in his opinion, the goalkeeper had.”
A leaked copy of the match observers original report states a quite difference version of events from ‘Dougie unprompted’ to ‘I asked why Mr McDonald ran over to AR2 I was told that the assistant had communicated via his head-set shouting ‘Dougie Dougie’.
The phrase ‘Dougie Dougie’ is likely to become as popular as honest mistakes as this incident moves on with hopefully assistant referee Steven Craven explaining his version of events over the weekend.
Tomorrow’s St Johnstone-Celtic match is subject to a 9am pitch inspection. Celtic’s u-19 side face Kilmarnock at the Barrowfield with a 1pm kick-off.
Leaked observers report from Tannadice
Chief Executive stress for Regan
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