Yesterday’s performance by Alan Muir in the Motherwell v Celtic match plunged new depths.
Having been closely involved, or not involved, in the Josh Meekings handball incident at Hampden last season, in most circumstances you’d expect him to be extra vigilant for penalty incidents, certainly handball.
The introduction of video evidence is under debate just now but has nothing to do with yesterday’s incidents at Fir Park.
After Hampden last season and yesterday’s display it is quite clear that Muir shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near any match of significance.
In the highly unlikely scenario that Celtic lose the title on goal difference yesterday’s refereeing performance will be recalled.
Muir, Steven McLean and assistant Frank Connor were badly at fault at Hampden with their failings having an immediate impact on the result. If just one of them had did their job competently Meekings would have been sent off and Celtic given the chance to go two goals in front against ten men with a cup final place against Falkirk looking likely.
The day after that match Celtic issued a statement looking for clarity on what had happened with the snipers quick to point out the failings of the team rather than deal with how three top officials missed an incident seen clearly by 90% of the supporters in the stadium.
Just because Celtic took full points from Motherwell the penalty incidents shouldn’t be overlooked. If Aberdeen had won at Ross County on Friday night and Motherwell snatched an equaliser Celtic would be trailing Derek McInnes’ side by three points.
While some supporters might attempt to claim bias on the part of Muir there is a much more obvious answer that has plenty of evidence. Muir isn’t a very good referee, simple as that.
When acting as an additional assistant he didn’t see Meekings punch clear Leigh Griffiths’ header.
As a referee in a good viewing position he didn’t feel that Kieran Kennedy took the legs away from Scott Brown, ten minutes later he never noticed Kennedy’s hand push the ball away from Nadir Ciftci from a Kris Commons cut-back.
Even eternal apologists like Kenny Clark and Stuart Dougal would struggle to excuse Muir from that charge sheet.
Dropping Muir down to League Two or the Lowland League for the rest of the season would send out the clearest message possible that he doesn’t have the ability to be involved at the top of the game.
If he loves his football and enjoys his role in the game he’ll be happy to be involved. If he takes the huff like Steve Conroy did in 2010 he will be no loss to the game. There are plenty of younger referees waiting for the chance to step up and take charge of the top fixtures.
Across the country there are many football people that would like to be involved in refereeing, it’s a lucrative and rewarding job but seeing the same faces putting in substandard performances on a regular basis must be disheartening.
Demoting Muir should be the start of a process, a review of how he has gone so far in the game would also be helpful.
There may be some damaged egos in the process but if a basic level of refereeing competency can be achieved there will be little call for video replays and suspicions cast over the mindset of officials.
Most supporters will accept marginal decisions have to go one way or the other. There was nothing marginal about the decisions missed by Muir yesterday, he shouldn’t be given another chance to spoil another top tier fixture.
Whether the SFA make a statement on the issue or do it on the quiet, allowing Muir near another high profile game would be a massive error, other younger referees deserve their chance.
After the last few years, we’ve see how conflicted/corrupt(?) the SFA and the SPLF have been in regards to their favorite club, who’s to say the referee association is any different. In fact all the evidence over the years, points out that they might have a case to answer. HH
The only issue I have with your article is the ” demotion to a lower level ” part….
Muir is obviously incompetent …and to inflict him on Clubs further down the ladder is an injustice to them.
If you’re crap…then you’re crap…wherever you are.
Sack him…plain and simple.
Should’ve Went to Specsavers Alan
I think Alan Muir is neither incompetent nor honest…..I think he is corrupt!
Correct Monti, there’s no other explanation for it.
Monti is 100%. Simple as.
I think the Conroy point is harsh. He wasn’t willing to be involved in a cover-up to allow the authorities to cheat Celtic. Surely we want more of that?
I think you are getting your honest mistakes mixed up. Conroy disallowed a Fortune goal v Rangers (IL) then let Lafferty off with an incredible assault on Hinkel. After that he got less telly matches and took the huff.
Steven Craven blew the whistle on the Dougie Dougie cover up and was cast aside for breaking rank.
I agree 100%. To compare Conroy’s stance to Muir is nonsense. What Conroy did was basically say he was unwilling to be party to the corruption within the SFA and stood by his principles. Not go in a huff! Sorry Joe, you are wrong with this one. No-one said Conroy didn’t made bad decisions too, but this s not the reason he quit.
Yet another example of anti celtic corruption ! how long can this go on its getting more blatant by the week that These so called referees have agendas and conflicts of interests . No wonder Scottish football is in the state its in Something needs to be done ,someone with Guts and power stand up and shout !
Muir and his stand side linesman should be asked to publicly explain their reasons for disregarding the rules of the game.
Then sack them both.
Demoting him to a lower league would see Sevco gain another star on the shirt . The first club in history to get 100 penalty awards in a season [ they’re on the way to achieving that already ] .
Many sports these days mic the referee and allow him to explain decisions which are contentious. Would they be so keen to make ‘honest mistakes’ if they had to explain? If not mic them, post match interview compulsory if asked for by a senior member of either team. You made team decision, explain to us all why you did it. Less time for getting stories straight that way
Why don’t we have umpires ?
Umpires? Why not simply have fairness and impartiality instead?
Adding Umpires or additional refs only opens the door to further corruption. Don’t you think the “umpires” would be hand picked based on their ability and willingness to follow the direction of the dallases, dougals, and clarks of the past?
It isn’t more corruption we need, it is less!
Agree with most of these comments, But you’ve just got to look at the match reports everyweek, and the refs marks. Nearly all the bad reports are the same refs, no matter who the teams are. That’s the worrying thing, That they are being allowed to ref, any matches at all..HH
This guy is just another corrupt official along the lines of dallas and the rest of his cronies.
It’s a case of anything to stop Celtic winning, just another cheat in the Scottish game.
Muir and his family look forward to the 12th of July every year, FACT.
Was told years ago there’s a young ref coming thru and god help celtic, if he gets their game.
On the semi final last year the story is that Muir shouted to the ref,
IT HIT HIS COUPON, when everybody and their dog knew it was punched clear !
HH
How do you know this Wulz?… Very disturbing if true.
HB
My cousin came into contact with him a few years back, and said as I’ve posted. All a said was that’ll be another one then, but his words are certainly coming true !
HH
Is there any point in pushing for new regulations ,that any officials within the public organisation that is the SFA, should have to disclose whether they are members of any secret organisation. Surely in this age of “transparency” ,and with the secretive five way agreement possibly about to come to light in the forthcoming trial , it might be the ideal time to apply sone pressure.
AH
That’s all we want, but if anything since 2012 it’s actually getting worse !
HH
Sorry, but *no one* is that incompetent …
are we surprised
I find it hard to accept that this man Muir is incompetent.
However if that is the way to remove him well and good
Do you have any confidence that there is anyone at the SFA who will do anything about these incompetent (biased)referees.
I certainly don’t.
Where is the reply to the Celtic letter concerning the Meekings incident ?.
Did we ever get a reply and/or what did it say ?.
Why has no one followed up on that incident ?
or is the 24 hour news cycle too important?
Celtic are perceived as soft touches by the S.F.A./ REFEREES(especially the Celtic Board) that’s my honest opinion on this issue so these honest mistakes will continue
There a some way to put this if a man cheats on his wife and she let’s him away with it he will do it again and again and again because ther is no punishment for the deceit or cheating simple as that ther is not punishment so this will not stop ? Maybe the misses (sfa) gets off on him cheating
Ref was shocking, too slow with yellow cards on some dangerous challenges. Broonie one however was not a penalty. He stood on the ball and was going down regardless of any challenge, the handball though,was a shocker.
Davy TV evidence showed Broony wasnt standing on the ball it was a stonewaller but Muir is consistent in his bias
Davy, you are 100% wrong . Broony was “taken out” and it was a stonewall penalty. Have another look at it and you will agree !! Muir has previous and joins a long list of cheating refs with a definate agenda against Celtic. Only in Scotland.