The SFA have added a new feature to their website to give Scottish referees the opportunity to explain their decisions in high profile games. The 'Whistleblower' will be published at the start of each week to look at and provide explanations for judgements made by referees over the course of the weekend.
The first Whistleblower of the season has been posted in the Referee section of the SFA website, where it will appear on a regular basis. Donald McVicar, Head of Referee Development, has taken a look at the incidents which led to red and yellow cards at the weekend and the first two entries deal with events during the Hibs v Dunfermline and Rangers v Livingston games.
McVicar said: "Every week, referees in our top games will have the opportunity to provide explanations for judgements made by them in recent matches, and give an insight into how they do their job and the difficulties they encounter. The page will also give general information on the Laws governing football, dispel a few myths, and explain the application of some of the rules which can be so difficult to understand by those playing or watching the game."
Ideally, fans would want referees to explain their actions in a press conference after the game. The SFA do not want to go that far just yet but they feel that the new page allow referees an opportunity to explain publicly why they took a course of action, and will defuse some of the controversy that can arise.
