Eight years after putting his whistle aside to go on strike Kenny Clark has finally revealed why referees downed tools.
The SFA were forced to bring in foreign officials for a weekend with Alain Hamer from Luxembourg in charge of Celtic’s home draw with Inverness Caley Thistle.
No real reason was ever given for the referee strike which fell a month after Dougie Dougie lied to Neil Lennon with his version of events backed up by Hugh Dallas in radio interviews.
Soon afterwards assistant referee Steven Craven resigned after his career took a downturn as the SFA circled the wagons to protect Dougie McDonald and Hugh Dallas.
“Somehow it is seen as socially acceptable to hurl abuse at football.”
The 2010 referees strike hasn’t brought improvement in behaviour towards officials, says Kenny Clark.
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— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) October 3, 2018
Speaking to Radio Scotland after assistant Calum Spence was struck by a coin thrown from a ‘West of Scotland’ football supporter Clark told BBC Scotland: “Unfortunately, it (the referee strike)) didn’t bring about the change in the culture we would have hoped for.
“Somehow it is seen as socially acceptable to hurl abuse at football.”
Looking back at the short lived strike of 2010 Clark added: “I don’t expect overnight miracles. This will be a long-term thing if it’s ever going to change because, let’s face it, it is deep-seated in the minds of football fans that, if you go to a football match, you can shout whatever you like at whoever you dislike.
“If match officials are regarded as legitimate targets for verbal abuse then, in some peoples’ minds, it’s not very much of a step for that to become physical abuse.
“We’ve all had experiences of seeing youth games or kids games and being appalled at coaches’ antics.
“They have got to realise they need to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and teach the kids the right habits.”
As well as his day job Clark enjoys like on the after dinner circuit telling tales about not awarding Celtic penalties to bowling clubs, golf clubs and free masons.