Whistle blowers timing all wrong.
If I’m honest, I’m not certain where I stand when it comes to strikes. I think I get sold on the hyperbole each side presents in such situations. I, at times, really sympathise with the hard-done-by worker who should really feel aggrieved. The worker who slugs it out on the front lines, day in, day out, for a pay packet that gives them the minimum. The business could be growing and flourishing off their back, but they rarely see the return. Then when they ask for meager pay rises and a little personal safety, they are told that it’s not in the plans. Finally, when times are tough, they again are asked to take the hit – so I sympathise with them standing tall for that ever so tiny piece of the pie.
Then there is the other side, the affluent side. The individuals who get paid an excellent wage to do something that we’d all clamor to do, but at some point we were guided elsewhere. Or maybe we thought the dream was unachievable. But these individuals took their shot and won the big prize – and congratulations to them for that. I admire that. What I don’t admire is taking advantage of their mildly exalted position.
In a time here in the UK when cuts are everywhere, people are laid off with such regularity that it barely becomes news, the Scottish referees take the time to let us know that they are aggrieved – that they are having a tough time taking some criticism.
Many of you know this story in detail, but for those who don’t. Official Dougie McDonald, in only the lame way an official can, admitted to fibbing to Celtic manager Neil Lennon about how he and his assistant referee Steven Craven changed a penalty call for Celtic at Tannadice Park against Dundee United a little over a month ago.
The SFA subsequently admonished McDonald for his handling of the post-match paper pushing. McDonald, as you can imagine has said he will not quit after Celtic has suggested he should. Again, why would he give up such a dream job? You know, a job where his life is ‘threatened’. God knows, if my job was life threatening, I’d probably decide on another position. No job is that precious…. Right?
The Scottish Senior Referees Association team must not have served much time as public relations officers – not looking around Scotland, England and most recently Ireland where people are taking a massive hit from an acid-laden big bubble, one that popped and burnt us all. Maybe just maybe, the strike announcement could have taken place the day the Royal Wedding was announced. Sure, it would have been lost in the shuffle, but then that would be a good thing wouldn’t it? Or maybe they’re actually PR geniuses, getting people to listen to their excessive whinging, and getting them talking. Though it may even be breach of contract to walk out on the SFA, all I really hear is whinging.
In these tough times people need their distractions, they need to find an escape. For many, football is just that. It’s that moment in time where you can let it all out – all of those frustrations from the weekly toil – to bellow loudly at the opposition. And in a time when this is needed most, the referees who are generally not the most popular chaps on the grassy fields to begin with decide to walk out. And now they expect sympathy? Coming from North America I have witnessed sporting strikes and missed games, it does affect the people. It really does.
I recently saw an interview with Stewart Regan, who suggested they will bring in FIFA officials from Ireland and Iceland to manage SPL games. And good on him for doing this, good on him for not being held at gunpoint at a time when clubs across the land are going into administration – but officials need ‘respect’ to manage their gargantuan task. Heck, if I were to be a fan for a moment, maybe if they were consistently good at their job I’d feel some sympathy!
After witnessing his work with the Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Stewart Regan can only be considered progressive. He is a listener and someone who was only recently chosen to lead the Scottish FA. Being tested this early in his reign, in my opinion, will only serve to prove that the right man is on the job. He has already shown that he will not bow down to bully tactics in a time when others are struggling, but still remain diplomatic. He will look out for what is best for the league and its fans and make sure Scottish football can remain strong. I hope fans support the new officials, the ones who just want to call a good game, not call strikes. More so, I hope they support Regan.
If I had a vote, mine would be to call up young officials and merge them into the Scottish game. I imagine there is some good young officiating talent that is waiting for the chance. Yes, they’ll make a few mistakes in the beginning, but let’s hope they don’t make the big public relations mistake and hold a strike because a few people are suggesting they are not ethical. Old Firm and the rest, stay firm. Don’t be bullied.