Celtic can’t get straight answer from the SFA
Someone at Hampden isn’t telling the truth
Football fans in Scotland have got their wish. It is now time to put the penalty incident at Tannadice in the match between Dundee United versus Celtic behind everyone and get on with things. Things of course being the representations made by the SFA since the incident and it isn’t looking good for the governing body.
The SFA issued their report today into the game…and it all appears wrapped up into a neat explanation.
“As is appropriate in these circumstances, Dougie, unprompted, decided to approach the assistant referee, Steven Craven, who had assumed the required position for the taking of the penalty. Dougie then asked Steven if he had seen the Dundee United goalkeeper, Dusan Pernis, touch the ball first and Steven confirmed that, in his opinion, the goalkeeper had.”
If you would like to read the full report, it can be found here:
SFA Website
The word “unprompted” is the key one and just so we weren’t making a mountain out of a molehill, we double-checked it online.
un•prompt•ed / ??n?präm(p)tid/
• adv. without being encouraged or assisted to say or do something: unprompted, helpful conductors advised me to change at Thornaby those are the notions they volunteered unprompted.
• adj. said, done, or acting without being encouraged or assisted: unprompted remarks.
So, it seems that Dougie McDonald went over to the linesman of his own volition. That’s fair enough, the game had yet to restart and he is perfectly entitled to do so.
The only thing is – perhaps SFA representatives could have got their story straight first.
Hugh Dallas was interviewed by Radio Clyde last week about the incident and he had this to say:
“He asked the referee what exactly the penalty was given for? Was it the incident two seconds before it..was it…do you think the goalkeeper had taken the player out before he played it with his hands and Dougie explained no, it was the challenge by the goalkeeper and that’s when the assistant referee said well from the very good angle that I had on it, he clearly played the ball with his hands.”
The interview can be listened to here: Dallas interview
Another twist in the tale has come from the fact that a copy of the Match Observers report has found its way into the public domain and can be seen here:
This section caught our eye:
“At the immediate post match discussion when I asked why Mr McDonald ran over to AR2, I was told that the assistant had communicated via the head set shouting “Dougie, Dougie””
Referring back to the definition of unprompted – what is described above is certainly not unprompted. It’s not even close enough to pass off as an honest mistake, between the two documents, there is such a disparity in the retelling of events that the only conclusion that can be drawn is that lies have been told.
This now makes it a far bigger issue than merely Celtic not getting a penalty. It’s not as if other fans will now have an opinion that will run alongside Celtic’s but anyone that fails to see the disparity between the two reports needs to have a look at themselves.
It will be interesting to view the media take on these reports in the morning and what the next moves will be, from either the SFA or Celtic. As things stand, the findings offered by the SFA have made the situation even more unpalatable as opposed to clearing up the issue. Why has there been the need for such conflicting statements and reports emanating from the SFA? If the decision was straightforward and genuine, then surely a genuine description of the passage events would have cleared matters?
There is a desire to get on football and focus on the action on the park but given its the SFA themselves that have cranked up opinions today, it doesn’t look as though the end is in sight for this major talking point.
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smoke & mirrors from Dallas
Come on Dallas ya weasel….
get onto clyde 1 sportsound tomorrow and explain WHY you spouted all that rubbish weeks before…
Go on ….. a huge stage will be there for you to EXPLAIN YOURSELF YA WEASEL
Looks like Dallas/McDonald/Craven/Conroy etc etc better get the number of a good glazer.
PS – Had a right laugh at Hartson in the Sun today, appologising to the Celtic fans for disputing that there is an agenda against their team. He cites the offside goal in the CIS Cup final where Rangers ran out 2-1 winners, the very same game in which Balde dived for the penalty that he would subsequently miss to take the game into extra time, the same game in which Balde assaulted Lovendkrands TWICE off the ball and stayed on the park, the same game in which Rangers were denied two stone wall penalties and also the same game in which Lennon got a yellow card for striking an opponent in the face with his hands.
Yes there all against you John, get a fucking grip.
So you’re okay with the SFA and their represntatives telling lies Quags? Fair enough.
Why is the media now trying to make this all about one disgraceful lying call by a very incompetent and untruthful ref? This is not what the comotion is all about. the problem raised here is the blatant inconsistencies from “big” decisions against Celtic in crucial games. For years we have watched this and had to take it. High Dallas has also lied about all of this, and full marks to Craven here. He stood up for his principles and as Hugh Dallas and the beaks slammed Celtic for the resignation, lo and behold!! It all comes out that he resigned because he was used as the scapegoat by the ref who lied about the whole thing.
The worst part? There is no punishment for McDonald at all really is there? “bad boy Dougie, now next time don’t get caught”.
Corrupt to it’s rotten core
Utter whitewash from start to finish. At least Steven Craven is a man of principle. So what really changed your mind on the day Dougie, Dougie?
Incidentally, great 3 points for the Bhoys today.
Ed, you said last week the key word was ‘bouncebackability’. It certainly applies to Lenny’s team with 2 great results this week albeit the 1st one was more of a struggle than it should have been.
I have to say I liked the shape of the team today. If Rogne can stay fit he will definitely be a regular and will go very far. Ki is also looking like the best prospect from Asia with each passing game.
Definitely not Ed, the ref’s and the SFA are hopeless at times and this sorry affair proves it. The correct decision on the penalty was made, the subsequent pish from McDonald wasn’t.
Mcgregor gets a 1 match band and 12 penalty points for kicking some fresh air, Samaras knees McGregor (albeit not much contact) but escapes with no punishment.
The whole governing body needs a shakedown with a group responsible for ALL of Scottish Football, it’s needs change and it needs it fast.
Quagmire you need to get a grip reading the sun total rag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Guilty Danny, suppose it’s a habit buying that and the record.
Habit no thats just plain dumb.