At last, a victory for common sense in the SPFL
The SFA Appellate Tribunal decided to overturn the sanctions imposed on Kilmarnock and St Mirren by the SPFL. I think it’s the right decision. Whenever possible, football games should be decided on the pitch – and not in an office.
This is the fairest and most sensible outcome for all parties.
There was a contrast in refereeing styles this week – off the park.
Steven Mclean spoke directly to Sky Sports and BBC to give the reasons why he called off the Livingston v Aberdeen game just minutes before kick-off.
Derek Mcinnes backed the decision 100%. It appeared maybe one or two people from the home club might have had a different opinion.
The Pittodrie manager was also in the news in the aftermath of his side’s 2-1 defeat to Rangers last Sunday.
He was unhappy that referee John
Beaton sent off Ryan Hedges for the trip on Alfredo Morelos that led to a penalty-kick.
It was a double whammy for the Dons, even though James Tavernier missed from the spot.
He asked Beaton for explanation and got one. Derek accepted it and moved on.
It’s good for managers and officials to have conversations in an adult manner.
In his press conference, Derek made public the conversation he had with Beaton, and it helped clear up any questions and confusion over the red card.
Some people would have liked Beaton to have explained himself in front of the TV cameras, in the same manner as his colleague, Mclean.
That doesn’t work for me.
They were different sets of circumstances, and totally different decisions.
Maclean is right to speak about the postponement of a game.
But Beaton would have faced a grilling. I’m not sure it’s fair to expose referees to that all of the time.
A compromise could be for the referee to speak to the home team press Oofficer, and get an explanation for serious decisions that deserve to be addressed.
A sentence or two to clarify things could then be given to the media to clear things up.
That’s got to be better than being left in the dark.