AFTER another weekend of football, the usual obvious incompetence of Scottish referees was on display for all to see.
I can’t help having sympathy with Tam Courts (Courts bemoans penalty decision, Sep 27). Watching the Dundee United v Celtic game, the referee, Kevin Clancy, who is charged with being “the person responsible for interpreting and enforcing the laws of the game”, completely ignored the blatant and obvious penalty that should have been awarded to Dundee United.
He has an assistant referee (linesman) who it would appear is equally incompetent, as he ignored the incident.
No point in asking the fourth official, who’s also tasked with assisting the referee, as it would appear he also isn’t “interpreting the rules”, which all three are paid handsomely to do.
What is it going to take to get VAR installed at football grounds in Scotland?
The failure to install VAR is killing the game here, and as each week passes it simply becomes more and more obvious it is not only required but should be demanded by the fans. The referees are making a mockery of the game in Scotland.
They may not like it, but VAR is in desperate need here in Scotland even if it does show up the obvious bias some referees display. It will make the game better by insisting teams, players, clubs – everybody – is held to the same unbiased level.
Like it or loathe it, VAR is a success and those who don’t want it are the very ones who would benefit as the camera is impartial and doesn’t lie.
The SFA and SPFL have the finances to support VAR. The time is now!
What’s it going to take to move the Scottish game out of the gutter – English referees coming up here to officiate, with Scottish referees heading south of the Border to get an education in how to properly officiate at a football match?
Jim Todd
Cumbernauld
SO, the UK Government spends £60 million on Westminster refurbishments. This strikes me as the Tory landlubber’s equivalent of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic as she slips beneath the waves.
Iain McClafferty
via email
THE so-called 1707 Treaty of Union of Scotland & England is an international treaty that is in the jurisdiction of the international courts. They would back Scotland to the hilt if it decided to hold a referendum. Who could block such a course of action? Certainly not any representative of the other party to the treaty.
If Johnson was stupid enough to take it to the Supreme Court in London they would almost certainly pass on it, as it does not reside within their legal orbit, and he has nowhere else to go.
If the current Scottish Government doesn’t hold a referendum between now and sometime early in 2023, I for one would certainly back a leadership change in the SNP, because I’m sick and tired of waiting for independence since the 1950s when I first voted for them, and I’m now in my eighties.
I recall with absolute clarity watching the launch of the QE2 from the opposite bank and having to run from the edge of the river to a higher stance as a large wave from its displacement raced towards me. I want a similar experience at the launch of the Scottish Navy’s first fast patrol vessel on the Clyde. Then, for the first time, I’ll believe, proof positive, Scotland has become free to chart its own course in the world.
Bruce Moglia
Bridge of Weir
DO we really need some woman to come up from England to open our parliamenty session, especially one who possesses an obscene amount of inherited wealth and power that makes her alien to almost the entire population of Scotland?
Ni Holmes
via email
WHOEVER replaces Sir Keir Starmer, it’s inevitable! (His first mistake...Sir!).
Starmer, must surely embrace the left, the traditional solid rock of the party. He was heckled at conference earlier in the week, which he dismissed, but if he continues to ignore this, he is most certainly destined to join the almost prime minister list.
Whoever will replace Starmer must return to the pre-Blair/Brown era. Their term may have provided short-term success but it has contributed to long-term disillusionment and continued failure.
Labour are clearly socialist, working-class and champions the down-trodden and should be so proud of this.
They should not try to emulate the right for some short-term gain. Whoever will lead this great party in future must learn this. If they don’t, more will move to SNP – the only hope for a fairer, caring society.
Robin MacLean
Fort Augustus
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