Will bad loser Butcher trigger another referee strike?
Approaching the anniversary of last season’s mysterious referee strike Butcher didn’t hold back as he launched into an attack on referee Stevie O’Reilly apparently oblivious to the fact that referees are all completely honest and that mistakes even themselves out over the course of the season.
Speaking to Radio Scotland after today’s defeat from Celtic Butcher said: “Referees had a strike last season, they weren’t happy well I’m bloody not happy with the way that things are going for my club.
“I feel like saying, yeah, ok SPL you go and sort the referees out and get a bit of consistency here.”
Threateningly Butcher added: “We’ve got the referees coming up here on Thursday, and I bet, I wonder who turns up because they are in for a rough time because our players feel very aggrieved that the referees are making decisions, not only in this game but in other games as well that have gone against us.
“Fifteen games played this season and not one penalty.”
Asked about the incident where Greg Tansey was red carded the Englishman said: “I have seen it several times and it was a deadly assault by a fingernail.
“Greg Tansey goes up to win the ball as you would do and Samaras did as well. The referee said to Tansey that he led with his elbow.
“His elbow is nowhere near Samaras’ face. His hand flicked against his face and Samaras went down holding his face.
“If you see it and when you do see it, you will say that it is never ever a red card. It is not a yellow card but it materially affected the outcome of the match.
“The referee is refusing to speak to us, so I don’t know why he gave it.”
Referring to the new style ‘fast track’ appeal system Butcher added: “The people are saying it is a fast-track system, well it is a fast-track to nowhere as far as I am concerned.
“There is no justice in the appeal, it is a kangaroo court as far as I’m concerned.
“I thought we had a great chance with the Chris Hogg appeal the last time. I went down to Glasgow to face the Compliance Officer who said it was a red card.
“The referee didn’t change his mind and said it was a red card. I was faced with three men on the SFA panel, so I was faced with odds of five to one against. Not great.
“Three times we have had men sent off here, three times we have lost and three times we were well in the game at the time.”
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