Willie Collum feels that he has been subjected to a witch hunt throughout Scottish football.
Last season the UEFA rated referee was rarely out of the headlines with a string of incredible performances that attracted the anger and criticism of players, managers and supporters.
In successive fixtures before Christmas Collum incorrectly awarded penalties to each side in matches involving Falkirk v Sevco and Aberdeen v Inverness Caley Thistle.
UEFA’s decision to appoint Collum to referee at the European Championships seemed at odds with reality with the SFA forced to keep him out of the spotlight, awarding the Scottish Cup Final to Steven McLean.
Rather than explain his decision making process Collum has given his thoughts to The Sun in a two part interview to show the caring, family side of the man in as positive a light as possible.
In today’s interview he claims: “ People have their opinions and it’s difficult to change them. I’m not saying I’m a world-class referee.
“I’m saying I’m a referee who tries his best and learns all the time. I did think what happened at the end of last season was a witch hunt.
“People got their teeth into me and wouldn’t let go. All refs make mistakes but sometimes I think I get a bit of a raw deal.
“It’ll be hard for me to lose that reputation but I think I’m stronger than that.
“I’ll just keep refereeing the way I’m refereeing. You’re judged on decisions. I always try to get them right. I can never promise I’ll get them all right.
“It would be great to just fade into the background. The best refs are the refs who aren’t recognised.
“But how is that possible in a game that springs up five or six incidents when it’s impossible to not be recognised?
“That’s not the referee wanting to be noticed, it means he needs to step up to the mark. There’s a balance between managing a game and ignoring things that are blatant.”
There is little decisions more blatant than awarding a penalty for a tackle outside of the penalty box or when the ball strikes a player on the chest.
CLICK HERE for UEFA destroy Sevco’s same club myth.
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