New SFA Chief Executive Stewart Regan has stepped into the controversy surrounding the mysterious Review Panel.
Almost a year after Celtic asked for clarity on the workings of the panel Regan has produced a wordy statement that seems to suggest that Hugh Dallas and the Referee Development Department and Disciplinary Department are responsible for bringing attention to incidents missed by the matchday referee.
The statement claims: “It is the responsibility of the Referee Development Department and Disciplinary Department to be aware of instances that may be worthy of investigation. This will be highlighted primarily by using television footage or feedback from the referee observers.”
Clearly uncomfortable with the attention that has greeted his arrival at the SFA Regan added: “There are elements of the process that I, as a newcomer to the Scottish FA, am not entirely content with. I have already requested a tightening-up of certain elements which I believe will help improve the transparency and functionality of the procedure.”
Confirming the suspicion that the more high profile clubs, Celtic and Rangers, are most likely to be investigated Regan admits: “While some of our more prominent clubs argue that their media exposure leaves them unfairly at risk of such investigations, I would point out that, adopting the same principle, they are also in a position to have a higher percentage of Claims for Wrongful Dismissal acted upon.”
Some plain English and easy to follow instructions as to the workings of the Review Panel would go a long way to clearing up the suspicions held by clubs and supporters.
Clearing up this matter would be the best possible way for Regan to mark his entry into the Scottish game.
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This is a crock and we all know it. The fact is Rangers were short-changed with this. It could have been us, and make no mistake, the timing of this incident is no accident. Watch who gets nailed next! This way, when Rangers are facing a relatively simple tie against Motherwell, they aren’t badly affected. We hoever, will be the victim of “honest” mistakes and missed calls to the point where timing will be everything. Rangers were used as pawns in this game from Dallas against Celtic.