Referee corruption is a topic that has weighed on Scottish football for decades. The Celtic fans have always cast a beady on the SFA officials and whilst some scream corruption, the rounding of the wagon’s makes it very difficult to prove.
However, we all have suspicions about certain officials and their Rangers leanings. It’s no secret that John Beaton frequents a Rangers boozer and often gives decisions in favour of the Ibrox club.
In fact, Beaton is so bad that even the decisions he gives against Celtic highlight a problem in the Scottish game. Some would say corruption, but not me.
So when Stan Collymore went on a rant on social media after the Nottingham Forest game yesterday, it prompted some class responses from the Celtic fans.
Celtic fans urge Collymore to look at Scottish referees
Forest are going a bit mental after being denied three penalties at the weekend. It’s hit the headlines down south but, to be honest, I couldn’t really give a monkey’s about it.
I only took notice when Collymore went onto X to rant about the attacks on referees.
Collymore said (X), “It’s about time someone said it. Unless anyone has proof that a referee or assistant referee is or has been involved in deliberate corruption then nobody has any place daring to suggest it.
“A f–king easy and growing out for supporters that is driving numbers of refs down, that is used as an excuse for underperforming teams and organisations and is a growing cancer in the sport.
“So I invite any supporter or legal firm to do one thing. Provide examples and proof of corruption against your club, put up or shut up.
“Because the constant erosion of the standing of officials has created a dearth of talent and numbers, which in turn leaves us with arguably a poor pool to pick from.
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“But corrupt? Do me a f–king favour. Just one ref, and one example of corruption that you’d be willing to fund in a court of law.
“Being a poor ref and being a corrupt ref are worlds apart and it’s now the f–king accepted go-to excuse of clubs who have plenty of money and plenty of games to get their sh-t together.”
Stan needs to look a bit closer at what’s happening north of the border. As I said, I’m not saying it’s corruption like some people do, but the pattern of assistance Rangers get compared to other clubs is just incredible.
And these Celtic fans let him know all about it:
Depends on the league I guess. pic.twitter.com/L9v7Eqvg9T
— Cecil Teapot Jnr (@TeapotJnr) April 21, 2024
It doesn't have to be naked corruption, Stan
— celticbynumbers (@Alan_Morrison67) April 21, 2024
Sometimes, lack of basic checks and balances means good ol' unconscious bias is allowed to take hold
So this is now the talk of the MSM in England. We’ve had this ‘issue’ in Scotland for years yet our media / pundits / ex players won’t touch it with a barge poll. If nothing else, at least Forest have ensured a real debate can now be had across the UK
— Martin W (@mwillmott68) April 22, 2024
Fergus McCann listened to the Celtic support. He proved corruption not only with officials, but the governing body itself 🍀It does go on, but difficult to prove
— Rhys McCole 🏴 (@RhysMccole) April 21, 2024
All I can say is that Collymore needs to watch this episode of A Celtic State of Mind and then come to an informed opinion on referees in Scotland.
If Collymore has done anything, he’s at least highlighted that people in Scotland are waking up to the fact that one club in our top league is refereed to a different standard to others.
