Thomson and Collum miss out on World Cup
Three of a kind
FIFA have selected 52 referees for the trip to Brazil with Scotland’s leading duo overlooked.
Having been fast tracked through the ranks and Scotland and with the lobbying of Hugh Dallas at UEFA level hopes were high at the SFA that they would have a referee taking part in the finals.
Europe will be represented by referee’s from the main nations plus Turkey, Serbia, Sweden and Norway with Howard Webb, despite his recent problems, representing England.
Thomson and Collum are currently on a five star training break in La Manga, before heading up that trip SFA refereeing supremo John Fleming said: “Abroad they (Scottish referees) are doing exceptionally well. The latest FIFA International List of Referees has just been announced and that shows just how well we are doing.
“We have seven male and two female international referees and 10 male and one female assistant referees. Two of our international referees – Craig Thomson and William Collum – are in the UEFA elite category, which is the highest category in Europe which compares favourably for a country like Scotland with a population of around five million when you consider only three countries have more: England, Spain and Italy.
“Only two other countries have two elite referees and they are Germany with a population of 82m and Portugal with a population of 10.5m.
“In terms of performances in Europe, we’ve had several referees involved in UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Women’s Champions League fixtures. A special mention must go to Craig Thomson who refereed the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Final last year and that is a reward for all his hard work.
“To receive an invitation to a prestigious finals tournament is a fantastic honour in itself but for Craig to be appointed to the final match is great for him personally and for Scotland.”
Despite the honour of refereeing the u-17 World Cup Final Thomson will be looking on from afar when the whistles blow in Brazil.
CLICK HERE for list of World Cup Final referees.