Referees revive strike memories over Nadir Ciftci one match ban
Ciftci faced a ten match ban for grabbing assistant referee Alan Harris by the throat during a stormy League Cup tie with Inverness Caley Thistle.
That charge was brought by Harris and and referee Kevin Clancy but after hearing all the evidence at Hampden yesterday a one match suspension was imposed for ‘placing an open hand into the lower area of the assistant referee’s throat’.
Dundee United are viewing the verdict as a moral victory with the striker available again after sitting out Saturday’s clash with Hearts with the ten match suspension threat cleared.
“While still disappointed at the outcome we respect the decision and accept that it is now a time to draw a line under this and move on,” Jackie McNamara told the Evening Telegraph.
“It is more disappointing that the sending off on the night of the game probably cost us our place in the cup.”
The highly secretive referee’s association viewed things differently with an un-named spokesperson saying: “
“We wish to express our deep dissatisfaction at the leniency of the sanction imposed by Tuesday’s Disciplinary Tribunal on a player who was found guilty of physically abusing one of our members.
“As an association, we feel this sends out completely the wrong message on issues surrounding the protection of match officials at all levels of the game in Scotland.
“Following a weekend of action taken by some of our number in 2010, assurances were given by the Scottish FA that it would take very seriously the protection of referees.
“Our association strongly believes that a thorough review of the governing body’s duty of care responsibilities to match officials should now be undertaken to ensure that referees are operating within a safe working environment.
“We will be seeking talks with the Scottish FA within the next few days to discuss matters before reporting to our members.”
The referee strike in 2010 was never quite explained with most blame aimed at Neil Lennon following the Dougie-Dougiegate scandal at Tannadice when shamed former referee Dougie McDonald was found to have lied to the Celtic boss about a penalty decision he overturned.
Stuart Dougal was one of the leading apologists at that time alongwith Kenny Clark as they dredged up stories from the past about the downsides of their lucrative part-time occupations.
After hearing about the Ciftci verdict Dougal showed the strength of his anger by commenting on a decision that didn’t involve Lennon.
The former whistler told the BBC: “I would say the punishment certainly doesn’t fit the crime. I think most fair-minded people, never mind ex-referees, would say this is not right.
“To miss one match for what is in effect an assault on a match official is way out of kilter with previous punishments.”