Scotland boss Alex McLeish has come to the defence of referees in Scotland.
McLeish has had his say on events involving Scotland’s match officials after BBC Sport revealed that the SFA are considering bringing in foreign referees next season.
If the foreign referees do come into the Scottish game, it will be for the first time since officials went on strike in 2010.
(photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
McLeish believes that officials need more support, and feels that they are under too much scrutiny.
“Give these guys a break and let’s get behind them. There is absolutely no hiding place,” he told BBC Sport.
(photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)
“It’s just the scrutiny. You have social media, social networks. Let’s encourage them and get them to be better.”
There have been plenty of controversies surrounding referees this season. Mostly recently, matches between Aberdeen and Rangers and Kilmarnock and Celtic have been marred by controversial refereeing decisions.
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Unsurprisingly, referees are not happy about the potential of foreign referees coming into the Scottish game.
The Evening Times has reported that the referees’ union is seeking ‘clarification’ from the SFA about the matter.
It seems that something is going to happen with referees in Scotland sooner rather than later, and it would not be much of a shock if it was another strike.
That would not do anyone any good at this moment in time, all in Scottish football will be hoping that doesn’t happen for the good of the game.