MP calls on Scottish referees to declare their allegiance

A Westminster MP has called on the Scottish referees to declare which team they support.

Pete Wilson, the SNP’s sports spokesman has called on the SFA to implement the move to prevent referees from coming under suspicion.

The FA in England already run a system that prevents refs from being involved in games involving the club that they support.

“I think the ordinary football fan deserves this information to remove doubt over any decisions being taken,” Wishart claimed.

“We’ve seen in England for FA Cup finals when referees have declared they support a team and they’ve excluded themselves from the final.

“I seriously do think it would be in the interests of the game if they did declare which team they support.

“Yes, referees are entitled to support a team. They may support one of the two big teams but when Rangers or Celtic come to McDiarmid Park I would like to know what teams these referees are supporting.

“And, if they are Rangers or Celtic supporters, I’d prefer they didn’t referee a match between St Johnstone and one of the Old Firm.”

In all walks of life people are now expected to make various disclosures and declare their own interests.

MP’s have had to announce their business interests for some time with last years expenses scandal forcing greater scrutiny of what MP’s claim for.

The SFA are certain to reject Wilson’s request but the old excuses about referees being beyond question are wearing thin after the lies of Dougie McDonald and public cover up undertaken by Hugh Dallas.

Explaining why he wants to see refs declare their interest Wilson added: “I think Scottish referees conduct their business with the utmost and absolute integrity but there’s always a keen debate about certain refereeing decisions.

“Freedom of information has taken hold in our society and I think it should apply to refereeing decisions – particularly as they’re under such scrutiny.

“I just think that, in this new cultured environment of disclosure of all sorts of people in public and sporting life, referees should declare which team they support to put their decisions beyond reproach.”

SFA Chief Executive already has his hands full trying to dismantle the old boys network that is the Referee’s Committee.

Getting officials to declare what team they support would surely end in a red card for anyone attempting to drag the SFA into the modern era.

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