Ironically, one of the points raised in last night’s furious statement from Ibrox was a call for transparency.
An issue that supporters of every club in Scotland would love. What would be better than reading the match referee’s report within 24 hours of the game being played?
Even better finding out what cases have been picked up by the Compliance Officer and the verdicts coming back from the three experts, believed to be three former Grade One referees.
Soon after their statement was issued the Daily Record were helping to bail out the SFA.
Jozo Simunovic avoided an SFA charge for his clash with Jermain Defoe because the disciplinary panel failed to reach a unanimous decision.
It’s understood the defender went through the same disciplinary process as Jon Flanagan for an alleged elbow, but there was not unanimous agreement.
Referee Kevin Clancy and his assistants did not spot the flashpoint during the game but Simunovic was put under the SFA microscope by Clare Whyte
Earlier the Evening Times had reported an Ibrox spokesman saying:
We shall vigorously defend Mr Flanagan and have also asked for full transparency on what matters are brought forward for retrospective action. Are those decisions being made even-handedly
With the spotlight on the Compliance Officer the real culprits are escaping scrutiny- Kevin Clancy and Douglas Ross- what did they see and what did they miss?
A transparent explanation would be invaluable, what did Clancy see that deserved a yellow card but not a red.
Tory MP Ross has got history for stepping in and making decisions, just over a year ago at the same venue he was screaming RED CARD RED CARD to assist Willie Collum.
The SFA have tied themselves in knots this season over disciplinary issues, bring in real transparency and we’ll finally be able to move on and not reflect on SIX red card incidents missed by referees in Celtic games so far this season.
