16 Feb 2010Referee chief admits 'disappointment' with SPL officials

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance | Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

Hugh Dallas, head of referee development at the Scottish Football Association (SFA), has admitted that several high-profile errors have been made by match officials this season.

Reporting back from a meeting with Scottish Premier League (SPL) managers on the SFA website, the former FIFA World Cup referee described the current campaign as "a disappointing season with some disappointing decisions".

Dallas added: "I am not going to sit here and pretend mistakes have not been made, but it is how the referees learn from these that is important."

Controversial incidents involving SPL referees this season include the decision to disallow Ross Forbes' strike for Motherwell against Rangers last Wednesday (February 10th).

Taking advice from assistant John Gilmour, referee Calum Murray dubiously ruled the goal out for offside and Rangers went on to claim a point after Kris Boyd equalised a first-half goal from Tom Hateley.

After the match, Motherwell boss Craig Brown described the referee's call as a "big team decision".

However, Dallas insisted that SPL managers have not been swayed by "conspiracy theorists" who suggest that match officials are favouring the league's bigger sides.

Written by Tom Jenkins

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