Hugh Dallas
News tonight that SPL referees are ready to take strike action has taken the crisis outwith Scotland.
The simmering feud that was opened up by the lies of Dougie Dougie at Tannadice on October 17 is now attracting attention from England and beyond.
Within an hour of the story breaking England captain Rio Ferdinand was asking on his twitter account what was behind the strike decision.
Fortunately for Rio and his Manchester United team-mates it will be UEFA that supply the officials for Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Rangers.
The story has largely been kept within Scotland’s borders but tonight Talk Sport decided to investigate and allowed Phil MacGiollabhain to contribute.
Tonight’s announcement highlights the complete lack of leadership and accountability that has been created within refereeing circles under Hugh Dallas.
With their vow of secrecy and honest mistakes get-out card Dallas has created a monster that acts as a law onto itself.
How long Stewart Regan will stay on as Chief Executive must be open for debate with governments in Hollywood and Westminster likely to be alarmed at the workings of an organisation that collects substantial public funding.
Blue chip sponsors such as Sky Sports, ESPN, Bank of Scotland and Adidas must be wondering why they are paying money to be associated with a daily shambles.
It’s a time for strong leadership and accountability in the Scottish game but with only the bungling figure of George Peat to turn to those notions can be dismissed.
REFEREEING TIMELINE
October 17: Dougie McDonald turns in an abysmal display at the Dundee United-Celtic match turning down at least three clear penalty claims. In one incident where he has a clear view of Gary Hooper being fouled he decides to blame assistant referee Steven Craven for the decision.
A can of worms is opened, the phrase Dougie Dougie is born and the SFA have been in retreat ever since
October 18: Hugh Dallas repeats lies to Radio Clyde about why the Hooper penalty was overturned
October 19: Hugh Dallas lies to Radio Scotland and the BBC website about the Hooper incident and claims that Neil Lennon was happy with the explanation he was given- the cover up version.
October 18: Another woeful performance in the Celtic-Rangers game from Willie Collum. Lowlights include bottling out of red carding Lee McCulloch for a second bookable offence and awarding a penalty for a dive by Kirk Broadfoot with his back to the incident.
October 29: Dougie Dougie is let off with a warning from his friends on the Referee Committee and retains the confidence and support of the SFA
October 31: Assistant referee Steven Craven reveals the true story of how Neil Lennon was lied to and Dougie Dougie’s cover up, he also makes bullying allegations against Hugh Dallas
November 1: Dougie Dougie tells the Daily Record, The Sun and the BBC website that it was all just a white lie, the sort that every parent makes up at Christmas time.
November 7: Newspaper allegations that Hugh Dallas sent out an offensive email linking the pope to child abuse on the day of the pope’s arrival in Scotland.
November 10: The SFA announce that they are to hold an internal enquiry into the email allegations.
November 10: Dougie Dougie leaves a message on Neil Lennon’s phone on a match day and doesn’t bother to follow up. Still no apology for lieing to the Celtic manager
November 18: At the club AGM John Reid backs a request from a supporter that referees should declare their sporting allegiances, as they do in England. Reid also calls on the SFA to sack Dougie Dougie describing his position as untenable.
November 21: A newspaper claims that 80% of Scotland’s top referees failed to pass an exam based on the laws of the game
November 21: Referee’s announce their plans to call strike action for the weekend of November 28/29
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