According to a report in today’s Sunday Mail 80% of Scotland’s Category One referees have failed a test in the laws of the game.
The cynical may be surprised that 20% passed- that’s five out of 31.
In some countries the result of the test would end the career of referees but with such a limited number of refs matching the demands of Hugh Dallas they failed refs are still in action every week.
The exam took place during a Spanish winter training break in February of this year.
According to the report in the Sunday Mail Dallas was taken aback by the findings but with the standard of refereeing plunging season by season under his leadership the results won’t surprise many supporters.
A pass mark of 80% was required from the exam but it seems that more than half of the refs scored 70% or less with one score of under 50% recorded.
While common sense and an appreciation of the game are acquired through experience it is breathtaking that so many referees are unaware of the basic laws of the game.
According to the report the referee that scored less than 50% was sent an email stating: “This is unacceptable. We will inform the Referee Committee of your results in the test.
“Concerns will be raised about your lack of knowledge and understanding of the Laws of the Game.
“The Development Department will furnish you with a test paper as a matter of urgency and you will sit it under examination conditions.”
After the lies and mistakes of Dougie Dougie having an exam result referred to by the old boys network of the Referee Committee hardly seems concerning.
The revelations of this exam add credibility to the demands of Celtic for greater accountability and transparancy in the game.
It appears that refereeing matters within the SFA are a law onto themselves where anything goes and a veil of secracy and the honest mistake line is thrown at any unwelcome questions.
Responding to the report an SFA spokesperson claimed: “They are designed to test officials on some of the most unlikely and unusual scenarios they may encounter.
“The improvement in that awareness has been apparent since these assessments became part of our monthly meetings.
“I’m sure most people would agree that implementing such an assessment based on the Laws of the Game can only be a benefit to refs and the game in general.”
If the SFA wish to retain credibility the refs who failed ought to be taken out of SPL fixtures for the remainder of the season although SFL clubs will hardly be happy to be subjected to officials that don’t have a grasp of the laws.
Every day Stewart Regan faces new challenges in his job as Chief Executive- sacking Dallas and bringing in an outsider to head up refereeing matters would give the new CE a fresh start and the chance to get on with his job without constantly wondering what Shug’s been upto.
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And now they want to go on strike!!
I wonder who put the X in the correct box on the ballot paper for them??
Maybe we should say we are sorry and promise to say “the ref was outstanding today” after every game!!!!
Strike and referee two very interesting words,
They all know the golden rule, the hunnery must win at all costs