Motherwell v Celtic, Wed 13th May, 8pm kick off

SFA STATEMENT: They're 100% correct but should be looking also at their own failings in administration of the game that have permitted such situations to arise.

Friday 15 May 2026
John Beaton and his family spent last night at home under police surveillance following a leak of personal details online.

The Scottish FA condemns in the strongest possible terms attempts to compromise the safety of match officials. Such vigilantism, motivated by decisions perceived to be right or wrong on a field of play, is a scourge on our national game and we are grateful to Police Scotland for their swift intervention.

We are also clear, sadly, that this is the inevitable consequence of the heightening criticism, intolerance and scapegoating demonstrated this season by media pundits, supporters, official supporters' groups, clubs, players, managers and former match officials.

We do not make that point lightly as the national association. Yet it is an inconvenient truth. Those who have sought to apportion blame and conspiracy towards match officials to deflect from defeats or perceived injustices throughout the season have contributed to an environment that puts the safety of our staff and match officials in jeopardy.

This is the consequence of a hysterical media narrative, fuelled by irresponsible knee-jerk post-match media interviews, commentary and official social media posts. The cumulative effect impacts on our ability to provide enough referees to service our game at all levels. When it compromises the safety and wellbeing of our most senior match officials, enough is enough.

Referees are not infallible. Mistakes will be made on the field, and subjective calls made in front of the VAR monitor, just as managers will pick the wrong team, goalkeepers concede soft goals and strikers miss from five yards out. Yet the reaction to these inevitabilities could not be more contrasting.

What happened yesterday is not an isolated incident. There are many examples of match officials being placed in harmful situations but with individuals fearful of speaking out lest it exacerbates the situation or causes further alarm to friends, family and colleagues.

We will not allow this to become the norm. We will not allow a situation where match officials require special provision to protect their children at school to be considered an occupational hazard. We will not allow a situation where staying at home with the front door locked and avoiding the hazards of public interaction becomes a coping strategy.

The Scottish FA will be seeking to strengthen its rules to better protect those integral to the game and urge those who will doubtless join us in condemning incidents like this to support those proposals, not contribute to their watering-down on the basis of self-preservation.

As we approach what should be an exciting finale to the season, we ask those who have personalised and hyperbolised their opinions, those who have sought the easy way out by attributing defeats to perceived refereeing errors, and those who have approved incendiary statements and posts to reflect on their contribution to creating an environment of intimidation, fear and alarm.

We urge tolerance and perspective to prevent any further, unthinkable escalation.
 
As much as I dislike Beaton as a refeere he should not be placed on Police protection, this supposed to be a sporting occasion what sort of idoit uses threats to a family to satisfy thier bent mind, cannot understand this behaviour perhaps it’s my age but strongly disagree that this has taken place
 
Anyway I’m going to chill now and get shit ready for tomorrow 🍀
My post are not meant to be controversial btw these are my actual thoughts I do see a lot of things different from fans especially social media and fan forums 😂 I shouldn’t even be on a fans forum as I call things how I see it and it becomes a debate 😂
Anyway going to chill make lady her dinner for her finishing work then watch movie and then toss and turn in bed all night thinking about the poor ref tomorrow 😂 I will toss and turn tho as I’m nervous I just hope we win and bring the trophy home 🍀
Enjoy the games the ones that are going and enjoy the game the ones that are watching with family and friends on tv 🍀☘️🍀
 
tommybhoy8881 said:
Anyway I’m going to chill now and get shit ready for tomorrow 🍀
My post are not meant to be controversial btw these are my actual thoughts I do see a lot of things different from fans especially social media and fan forums 😂 I shouldn’t even be on a fans forum as I call things how I see it and it becomes a debate 😂
Anyway going to chill make lady her dinner for her finishing work then watch movie and then toss and turn in bed all night thinking about the poor ref tomorrow 😂 I will toss and turn tho as I’m nervous I just hope we win and bring the trophy home 🍀
Enjoy the games the ones that are going and enjoy the game the ones that are watching with family and friends on tv 🍀☘️🍀
Click to expand...
Debate is always good for forums Tommy...even when yir completely wrang 😉👍
 
Stucky said:
www.bbc.co.uk

Referee John Beaton put under police surveillance after penalty controversy in Celtic win over Motherwell, say SFA

The SFA say referee John Beaton and his family were put "under police surveillance" in the wake of recent penalty controversy.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
Click to expand...
So the whipping up of anger with inflammatory statements by McInnes and Boyd as well as McCoist (who has previous for this) should be called out publicly. I have no love for certain referees but it's ridiculous when they and their families need police protection.
And those that feed the flames need to be held to account.
McInnes especially as the other 2 are not actively employed by a team.
 
The ref in tomorrow's game is going to be under heavy undue pressure. As much as we criticise them they're only human so if there's any big calls to be made its got be in the back of their mind that if they make the call (or don't make the call) are they going to need police protection.

I hope, just for sanities sake, that we go out tomorrow and beat them with at least three clear goals.
 
tommybhoy8881 said:
Aww fuck it the refs are all wankers and the Sfa and the lineman’s too and the VAR team they are all anti Celtic and everyone is against us so it’s us against them fuck them all and King Billy …
I’m not replying to any more talk about refs a will leave it all to you on your ref thread and all your unbiased views 😂😂😂
Roll on tommoro anyway win this league (I’m nervous as fuck but we will do it)🍀
Spoke to Lubos dad today for first time he is a great guy and I’ve realised already he speaks more sense than Lubo so looking forward to next season😂🍀
Tiocfaidh ár lá 🍀☘️🍀
Click to expand...
Woo hoo! I am delighted you have moved away from the dark side.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 418 (members: 7, guests: 411)

Latest posts

Share this page

Back
Top