Hugh Dallas
Blundering SFA President George Peat has pointed the finger of blame at un-named club/s for the referee’s strike.
If a club official had made the same comment they would be called before the SFA to explain themselves on a charge of bringing the game into disrepute.
The man who took Aidrieonions towards extinction has been keeping a low profile in recent times with good reason.
Media training was something that Peat clearly missed out on as his public mutterings illustrate.
Yesterday’s strike call from the referees threw Peat back into the spotlight at the fourth round draw for the Scottish Cup with the SFA President wading into the issue.
The SFA website could be used to dilute Peat’s criticism but even using his own media channel the President felt the need to point the finger of blame at club/s for forcing the refs into strike action.
Peat claimed: “Unfortunately the behaviour of some people in recent weeks has tarnished the image of Scottish football. It has demeaned the game. The culture of inference, innuendo and conspiracy theories must stop.”
How about naming names then George instead of vaguely blaming all twelve SPL clubs.
Peat continued: “This is a sad day for Scottish football. We will do everything we possibly can to broker a deal before the weekend because it’s obviously important that officials are on duty on Saturday and Sunday.
“We do not condone the strike but we must sympathise with the grievances of the referees.”
Follow Video Celts on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
Surely this isn’t the very same Mr Peat who, after an initial SFA inquiry into Jim Farry’s dishonest deeds, was part of the board who cleared him of all wrong doing before the independent commission squeezed out the truth?
Yes, we are going to take anything that comes out of this man’s mouth very seriously.
And when has anyone officially connected with Celtic just now come out and uttered anything about bias or conspiracy theories?
Why not concentrate your energies on weeding out the liars and myth-peddlars within your own organisation Mr Peat? The folk who spread scurrilous unfounded rumours about threats from Celtic fans forcing a certain Mr Craven to quit, later strenuously denied by the man himself.
For once I am firmly behind the board’s stance on this one and, although I am loathe to give the man credit for anything, John Reid is doing the right thing for once. He may leave somewhat of a positive legacy after all if this can be resolved satisfactorily.
What about the grievances of the football clubs George ?
You often wonder if this man actually hears the words coming out of his mouth. In one paragraph he says the innuendo and inference must stop while at the same time using more innuendo to target specific people and organizations.
Mr. Peat, the easiest way to stop the conspiracy theories is to open your organization up to scrutiny. Let everyone see how things work. Show that the SFA is a performance based organization where people are rewarded for good performances. Let the public see that the disciplinary process is fair and open.
If there are no dark corners in which to hide there is little fodder for conspiracy theories.
Telling people that this “innuendo and conspiracy theories must stop” is like telling a child not to do something “Because I said so”.
In this day and age that no longer works. Welcome to the 21st century Mr. Peat.
People wouldn’t make conspiracies if the refs would actually stop hiding their reasons for their terrible decisions.
They are not doing any favours for themselves, and they still think they are being criticised, theyre not! people just want reasons!
STOP HIDING, OPEN UP IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE.