Michael Stewart defies his SFA Hampden ban

Michael Stewart defied his SFA Hampden ban at today’s Scottish Cup semi-final between Falkirk and Dunfermline.

The former Scotland internationalist was part of the Premier Sports coverage. Delivering his analysis from a studio in the Hampden car park.

Ian Maxwell contacted Stewart to inform him that he was banned on the back of critical comments made about referees.

BBC Scotland and Premier Sports were informed of the decision.

The ban shows the level of pettiness that the SFA are famed for with Maxwell opening himself up for ridicule by the decision.

By banning a high profile pundit the SFA have highlighted the problems associated with their blundering referees.

And provided Stewart with plenty of publicity with an easy solution to the ban.

Under the feeble leadership of Willie Collum Scotland’s referees have had a horrific season.

Collum has kept his former colleagues sweet with high profile appointments- and payments.

MICHAEL STEWART CALLS OUT SCOTLAND’S HOPELESS MATCH OFFICIALS

Alongside that some Collum clones have been fast-tracked when they are clearly short of the ability to referee at the highest level.

Duncan Nicolson, Matthew MacDermit, Grant Irvine and Ross Hardie have delivered some shocking decisions.

On co-commentary duty Stewart has highlighted some of the issues, it would be un-professional not to call it out. For that he has been banned with the SFA trying to deny him a source of income.

If Maxwell needs any proof on the standard of Scottish match officials it came last week from FIFA.

With 104 matches coming up at the World Cup Finals they have appointed 170 officials covering referees, assistants and VAR officials.

To the surprise of no-one watching Scottish football FIFA blanked the claims from Scottish officials for a month long summer jolly.

BBC Scotland had a very safe panel covering today’s semi-final.

Steven Thompson provided all of the personality of a broken goal-post backed up by Scott Brown, James McFadden and Leanne Crichton.

Premier Sports will have exclusive coverage of the Celtic v St Mirren match tomorrow. Stewart is likely to be in the car park providing his analysis.