The vice-chairman of the all powerful SFA Referee Committee is a supporter and shareholder in Rangers!
David Dowling left Inverness Clachnacuddin in April this year to become chairman of Brora Rangers but it’s the Glasgow version where his heart lies.
In a feature on Dowling published by the Inverness Courier last January readers were left in no doubt about where his football affections lie.
During the interview the Courier state: “Although he is now an ardent Clach fan, with the name even spelt on his car registration plate, the walls of his office reveal a conflicting football interest.
“Among the photos is a picture of him with his two sons Scott (24) and Christopher (27) — both partners at Cairngorm Windows — all wearing Rangers shirts at the UEFA Cup final in Manchester last year.
“He is a shareholder in the Glasgow club he has supported from boyhood but when it comes to club loyalty there is only one place you’ll find him on a Saturday afternoon — watching Clach.”
Fifteen months later Dowling had swapped Clach for Brora Rangers.
There is no conflict of interest in an official of one club supporting another however when it comes to discipline and refereeing matters the SFA need to be whiter than white.
The Referee Committee at the SFA consists of six former referees- Ian Fyfe, Jim McCluskey, Sandy Roy, Donald McVicar, Alan Freeland, William Young and is chaired by Alan McRae of Cove Rangers.
Having referee matters dealt with by their peers is clearly something that needs to change as new Chief Executive Stewart Regan has identified.
Dismantling the undue influence that referees enjoy within Scottish football’s decision making corridors is also a priority of the SPFA, players union.
Writing in the Herald yesterday Fraser Wishart said: “I still do not think that the enormity of the Dougie McDonald issue has been grasped, and not just the incident itself.
“Former referees sat in judgement of McDonald and seemingly rode against the recommendation of the chief executive. There are many former referees who see any moves towards modernisation unthinkable.
“I will be pushing for all matters relating to the playing of the game to be discussed by a technical committee compromising equal representatives of referees, players, managers and clubs, with Stewart Regan as the independent chair.”
Over the last month transparecy and accountability have become buzzwords to describe the changes required within the SFA.
Removing officials with clear club loyalties from decisions that have an effect on their favourite club is surely the first step in removing the conspiracy theories as President George Peat would describe it.
Interview and feature with Dowling
Media favourite Kenny Clark too busy to meet MSP’s.
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Who cares? There is alot more of us within the SFA’s refereeing ranks than Rankgers fans! What a rubbish article by Paranoid Joe! Get a life and concentrate on the football rather than embarrassing yourself with paranoid bile.
Team were unlucky today, Ki scored a good goal, The Derry Peles goal was immense and if it was against better opposition would have been out of this world, defence struggled as usual but we will bounce back next week against McGhoos Aberdeen. Another 9-0 on the cards? Hopefully.
Hail Hail
In Lennon we must trust.
Joe, leave that rubbish to the other lot mate.
How in the name of feck is this corruption allowed to take place?