Latest News

A year later we find out about John Beaton and how Lawwell caved in on transparency

|
Image for A year later we find out about John Beaton and how Lawwell caved in on transparency

Details have emerged today of how Peter Lawwell gave John Beaton the all-clear to continue refereeing Celtic matches.

A year ago Celtic issued an angry statement demanding transparency after Scott Brown, Ryan Christie and Tony Ralston were attacked at Ibrox by Alfredo Morelos without the Colombian even picking up a yellow card.

When the Compliance Officer failed to take any action Celtic hit their statement button with:

In order to fully understand what is going on, Celtic, our supporters, Scottish clubs and the general Scottish football public need transparency in these matters, and we therefore call on the Scottish FA to allow the referee, John Beaton, to explain these decisions publicly as well as any match officials involved in other similar circumstances.

In the meantime, we have requested a meeting with Scottish FA Chief Executive, Ian Maxwell, and the Association’s Head of Refereeing.

Nothing further was heard about the campaign for transparency. The SFA staged a summit at McDiarmid Park that was widely leaked. Steve Clarke decided to stay away with no follow up to the not so secret meeting.

Finally, at the Celtic AGM in November Lawwell revealed that a meeting had been held. Although no details were given Beaton has been in charge of three Celtic matches this season, away to Aberdeen and at home to Hibs in the SPFL and at home to Dunfermline in the League Cup.

This morning the Daily Record led on the Ryan Christie suspension with claims of a dossier of inconsistencies that have escaped SFA justice.

Within the story a Celtic source is quoted saying:

Scott Brown was booted in the groin and Anthony Ralston had stud marks on his leg after being stamped on. There was also an incident between Morelos and Christie which was remarkably similar to the one for which Ryan has now been banned. But nothing happened.

The official line from the SFA is that the referee saw all of those incidents at the time while Kevin Clancy didn’t see what happened between Christie and Morelos which is why it has been dealt with retrospectively.

A year after the statement we now learn that Beaton viewed the attacks on Brown, Christie and Ralston and didn’t believe that any of those incidents were worth a yellow card. Yesterday we discovered that handling another players genitals is worthy of a two match suspension- unless it is against Celtic.

Beaton’s career has continued unhindered. This season he has been in charge of Europa League matches and refereed one of the League Cup semi-finals.

Celtic’s call for transparency was ignored, it has taken 12 months and a Celtic source speaking to the Daily Record to give supporters an answer.

Lawwell was clearly happy with the answers that he got from the SFA, Celtic never mentioned the issue until pushed at the AGM.

Brown, Christie, Ralston and team-mates know what to expect when they see the Lanarkshire referee run out to take charge of a match. Anything goes with absolutely no impact on Beaton’s career if he decides not to punish attacks on Celtic players.

Share this article

Online and independent- the only way to be. Enjoying instant news access and reaction, following the trends if not an influencer!