Referee chief John Fleming has hit back at Kenny Shiels criticism of Euan Norris.
The Kilmarnock boss accused Norris of making a sarcastic and flippant comment as they shook hands at the end of the SPL match between Kilmarnock and Inverness Caley Thistle last Saturday.
Using the SFA website to comment Fleming said: “I was disappointed that Kenny Shiels elected to speak to the media before myself in relation to comments from Euan Norris he alleged were sarcastic in nature after the Kilmarnock v Inverness SPL match last weekend.
“I was especially disappointed by this course of action since, in the very same interview, Kenny admitted he ‘did not know exactly what was said but it was something flippant’.
“For the purposes of clarity, there has been no formal complaint received and no action intended against the match official. I have discussed the matter with Euan and his explanation is as follows.
“He was approached immediately after the full-time whistle by the Kilmarnock manager, who was shaking his head in disapproval. When confronted by a clearly unhappy manager on the field of play, Euan said: ‘You are shaking your head for the benefit of the spectators’.
“There was no sarcasm; no flippancy. It is what Euan believed. Mutual respect between players, coaches and match officials is essential to the game. Recent events elsewhere only serve to underline that fact.
“I have always encouraged open dialogue as Head of Referee Development but public comments such as those made by Mr Shiels undermine that relationship at a time when, collectively, we should be doing all that we can to enhance it.”
Despite Flemings comments Shiels hasn’t been asked to explain his comments to the SFA.
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An with Kenny on this one wouldn’t trust a Scottish ref or their management.
Don’t forget the three D’s.
Dougie Dougie and Dallas.