Former Grade 1 referee Charlie Richmond has hinted that there could be a repeat of the refereeing strike of 2010 after Neil Lennon was given a three match touchline ban by the SFA.
The Hibs boss was upset at Kevin Clancy’s decision to award Kilmarnock a penalty and was sent to the stand on the advice of the fourth official.
After the match Lennon was highly critical of Clancy and pointed out the penalty decision that he had missed when Hibs played Sevco in December.
The Hibs boss was served with a Notice of Complaint and yesterday given a three match touchline ban with a further two games suspended.
That punishment didn’t meet with Richmond’s expectations with the Ayrshire based referee giving his thoughts on the matter to The Sun.
Asked if he would have felt let down by the punishment he said: “I think so when you look at what Neil has done. Shouting in a referee’s face, swearing and then clapping.
“That is not the standard Hibernian FC would expect of their manager or any other football club.
“It will widen [relationship between managers and referees] when you see things like that.
“I think Kevin will be disappointed with that, the SSFRA, the so-called referee’s union, will look at it and put a case to the SFA.
“If you are leaving that two [suspended ban] so you don’t commit why not just give him the five matches and then see if he behaves.”
Lennon starts his touchline ban tonight when Hibs are away to St Johnstone.
