Scottish football has been warned it is running the risk of another referees’ strike.
Former Grade One ref Steve Conroy believes the actions of clubs stirring up hate towards whistlers has come to a head with threats made against Kevin Clancy and his family after the weekend’s Old Firm clash in which the official ruled out Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos’ goal before Celtic went on to win 3-2.
Police Scotland yesterday confirmed they are conducting an investigation to identify those responsible for the sickening abuse aimed at Clancy, who had personal details leaked online. Now Conroy is adamant there’s a danger of referees considering resorting to similar action as 2010 when they withdrew their services amid personal safety being put at stake. Conroy, from the Get Involved Referee Podcast in association with www.newslotsklosh.com, told Record Sport: “Back in 2010 everyone had the same feeling. Referees in this country were genuinely fearful that something was actually going to happen to one of us and that nobody was listening.
“Thankfully things did get a lot better after that, but someone has to speak to these people and who knows, maybe it’s happening behind the scenes? We can’t go back to the stage where referees are genuinely afraid for their own safety and the safety of their kids. That would take us back into dangerous territory.
“I know that these people are playing to their own audience but it’s a dangerous thing to do. It doesn’t matter what team you support, we all know there are people who will resort to what I would call unsavoury tactics at the least provocation.
“The more it is stirred up, the more chance there is of that happening. That’s why it has to be a team effort and it has to be joined up before anything serious happens to any of our guys.
“I can’t get my head around why anyone would bother doing that kind of thing towards a referee. It’s absolutely nuts.”
The SFA has taken Clancy off the frontline this weekend. He won’t be officiating a top-level fixture but instead he will be in charge of the VAR for Livingston v St Johnstone.
He will provide video back-up and support for match official David Munro at Livi. It has been a difficult time for Clancy and his family who have been given extra support by the SFA’s welfare staff in recent days.
Scotland’s top senior referees have also joined SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell in coming out in support of Clancy. Referee Steven McLean takes charge of Rangers v St Mirren, while David Dickinson is the man at Kilmarnock v Celtic. John Beaton has been given the nod for the Edinburgh derby.
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