Forget the hindsight brigade and give back to refs

Time to look at disciplinary process again and give refs back the power

IT is eight years since the Scottish FA introduced the role of compliance officer to its disciplinary procedures. Now, it may be time to get back to the drawing board.

When Clare Whyte, the latest incumbent to hold the post following the tenures of Vincent Lunny and Tony McGlennan, is talked about as prominently as she has been at times this season then there is a problem with the system.

The CO position is a thankless task and no matter what decisions are reached on any case that is put forward, there will always be a party left angry and upset.

Accusations of bias and conspiracies can never be proven and remain the barb of choice of supporters online but real concerns and questions over the protocols can’t be overlooked.

It is not just fans who are quickly losing faith with the SFA and those that implement its rulebook and there seems to be a growing feeling within the game that the current way of doing things isn’t fit for purpose.

It was Lunny who played down the talk of ‘trial by Sportscene’ four years ago now but events this season have done nothing to dispel fears over how incidents are raised and dealt with.

Matches that are live on television – like Rangers’ win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie was – automatically generate more public debate and there is greater scope for moments in those games to create headlines, and subsequently be raised as disciplinary matters. Controversies in others – like Celtic’s victory at home to Hibernian – don’t get the same attention, though, and challenges such as the

one Scott