Scottish referees are about to bare the brunt of the SFA’s decision not to punish Davie Weir despite the Ibrox assistant being sent to the stand during the 5-1 hammering from Celtic.
Weir’s comments to fourth official Kevin Clancy were reported to Willie Collum who instantly sent the Ibrox coach to the stand for the remainder of the match.
In 2013 Neil Lennon was given a three match ban retrospectively for using abusive language at St Mirren’s Jim Goodwin in an incident missed by officials but picked up by television coverage.
The decision not to act against Weir has set a new precedent with reports today that Robbie Neilson won’t be punished despite being ordered to the stand during St Johnstone’s 1-0 win over Hearts on Saturday.
Neilson was banished for sarcastically clapping a decision made by John Beaton with the Hearts boss able to joke about it as he praised the backing given to his side by their support.
“The support was phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal,” Neilson said. “It’s great that they followed us and I hope they went away entertained.
“They will be disappointed, as we are, with the result and the outcome, but I think we entertained them.
“We created chances, we got them off their seats, and we got them to clap – even though I’m not allowed to!
“They are behind us, and the players gave everything. I can’t ask any more of the players and the disappointing thing is we didn’t get what we deserved.”
Last week Hearts successfully appealed against a yellow card issued by Craig Thomson against Tony Watt for diving.
With Thomson’s erratic style under the microscope and coaches apparently immune from punishment it looks like the SFA and their referees won’t be far from the headlines this season.