Which publicity seeker will stay silent longest?

You knew that Jim Gannon would not be allowed to pass remark again without a response coming quickly. Hugh Dallas is not one known for shyness in gaining publicity so the chance to fan the media flames is something the Bonkle man will jump at.

Dallas has offered his side of the story regarding the fall out between the SFA and the Motherwell boss.

“Having explained my position after initial media enquiries, I then received a letter, dated December 1st, two days later from Mr Gannon stating he had written to me on two separate occasions, enclosing a copy of both letters. On the same day, December 3rd, I also received the original copy of his second correspondence. It was then traced through the Royal Mail system and that tracking evidence was sent to Mr Gannon, along with the unopened letter.”

It was rather convenient of the Royal Mail to finally deliver the second letter from Gannon just when Dallas needed it most but it begs the question about the SFA’s use of technology.

They are happy enough to use modern mail tracking systems but when it comes to video technology on match-days, its a no-no, that is a bit hypocritical isn’t it?

Hugh didn’t stop there though with the Motherwell manager in line for even more personal criticism;

“The type of adverse media coverage generated by Mr Gannon – which is extremely uncommon in Scottish football – has a negative effect on the confidence of referees and is counter-productive. His dissection of refereeing decisions involving Craig Thomson, one of UEFA’s elite referees, is wholly unnecessary.”

Hugh Dallas is correct to say that this sort of media coverage is uncommon but that is only because of the way the Scottish football media sidesteps the majority of controversial issues. This is proven by the dismissing of criticism of Craig Thomson for his handling of the Rangers Celtic match in October.

Rangers won 2-1 and there is no doubt their ability to punish terrible defending by Celtic was a major factor in the Ibrox side taking all three points. However, another major factor was a refereeing performance, which to neutrals like Gannon, appeared to be massively one-sided in favour of the home side.

Given the nature of the SPL season, a victory in a game between the big two may be enough to decide the league and Gannon was correct to voice that opinion. Whether a manager of one club should be commenting on a match that has nothing to do with his side is another matter but his point is valid.

The SFA and Hugh Dallas have protected their man in charge of the game but they carried out a complete whitewash on the handling of the match. If a player performed as badly as Thomson did on the day, the media would have a field day and the players manager would likely drop the player for the next match.

Thomson got to carry on regardless.

With a match against Celtic to prepare for, Jim Gannon is probably a bit busy to respond but who knows what lies in store for the post-match interview.

With Hugh Dallas at the helm, the SFA refereeing viewpoint will never go unheard so Gannon has to decide if he can carry out such a public battle with a person that loves the limelight?

Can Jim Gannon back away from this argument?

Technorati token: C5J7PBTEH9EZ

Related posts:

1. Hugh Dallas questions Jim Gannon’s honesty and integrity The rest of Scottish football laughs at the irony of...
2. Jim Gannon hates people called Hugh To see ourselves as others see us. The Homecoming events...
3. Jim Gannon’s weekly headline grabbing spot Silence fills the radio airwaves If you were at the...
4. Black day for the men in black (or red or yellow). Referees are in a no win situation but they took...
5. Richmond in the middle for Celtic at Motherwell It’s the name game for the other officials at Fir...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.