Just watching the Kilmarnock 'Keeper's sending off last night and couldn't help but chuckle at the Ref's Shirt Sponsor!
They have been sponsored by specsavers for a few years now. But it has made no difference. Still corrupt. There are moves by clubs to have them replaced by foreign refs because of their undoubted bias towards a certain 2 clubs. Also because they are absolutely crap.
I echo Ian's comments above. It ridiculous that Scottish referees do not have to declare their club allegiances. It is estimated that 27 from 32 Category One referees in Scotland are from a Rangers tradition (i.e. support the club, are masons or have links to the Orange order).
Went up to see my mate two years ago (he's in the police) and was talking to one of the lads whos brother was a Scottish ref.(still with me!)...nothing i can put on here but very interesting!
I had the misfortune to work alongside 2 grade 1 Scottish referees. Bob Valentine (utter pr1ck) and John Gordon now no longer with us. Gordon was caught taking bribes from AC Milan. I heard furry coats were involved but not sure how true. Here is what Wiki says. John Robertson Proudfoot Gordon (2 February 1930 – 2000) was a Scottish football referee. He was born in Inverness. Gordon was selected to officiate at the 1978 FIFA World Cup but was suspended later that year by the Scottish FA for improper behaviour. He, along with assistants Rollo Kyle and David McCartney, admitted to receiving gifts from A.C. Milan prior to handling their 1978 UEFA Cup clash with Levski Sofia. The Italians won the match Gordon refereed, the home leg of a second round tie, 3–0. John Gordon died in 2000 in Dundee. He was pre-deceased by Rollo Kyle, who died after refereeing a game some 20 years previously.[1] Never trust a referee.
Steve Pressley was a rugby league referee and he was from the Castleford area. He only officiated games in the Lancashire area.
