Fresh from his blundering performance in the Dundee v Sevco match Craig Thomson will be in charge of Saturday’s St Johnstone v Celtic match- televised live by BT Sport!
Chris Sutton was an outspoken critic of Thomson during the match with former FIFA referee Howard Webb backing up Sutton’s view that Thomson bottled out of sending off Harry Forrester.
The Sevco winger was booked early in the second half then went on to have three more fouls that were at least worthy of another yellow but Thomson took no further action before the player was substituted.
As well as failing to send off Forrester Thomson insisted that Darren O’Dea left the field of play after receiving treatment although his opponent was booked. A rule over turned by FIFA during the close season.
Even after the most ridiculous of mistakes referees can generally count on their ex-colleagues in the media to defend the indefensible.
On the Forrester issue however Charlie Richmond decided to break ranks although he did defend Thomson against Sutton’s claim that he bottled out of sending off the Sevco star.
In the Daily Record Richmond admitted: “Craig is not the kind of man to bottle it. He’s officiated in high-profile games in Scotland and in Europe. He can handle the heat of a Rangers game.
“He’s been involved in high- pressure matches and he’s never been scared to get the cards out when he sees fit but there’s no doubt for me he made the wrong call at Dens Park on Saturday. For a guy with Craig’s experience it should have been a bread-and- butter decision.
“Sutton was pretty strong in his criticism but that comes with the territory when you make a mistake like that.
“Having watched the incidents a few times it’s pretty clear Forrester should have been sent packing.”
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