SFA chief defends under-fire refs

Motherwell players were unhappy with referee Craig Thomson

Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith has called for more respect to be shown towards referees.

"I feel that there has been a little bit of momentum built up against referees," said Smith.

"Referees have a very difficult job to do and we want to try to encourage people to become referees because without them we don't have a game.

"So I think they deserve a lot more respect than they have been given, all through the different levels."

Interview: SFA chief executive Gordon Smith

Media conference: Celtic coach Tommy Burns

Premier League referees were once again under the spotlight at the weekend.

Motherwell players reacted angrily when Hearts scored after Craig Thomson waved the action on following a head knock to David Clarkson.

And St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson was outraged at the decision from Eddie Smith which led to Shunsuke Nakamura netting a late free-kick winner for Celtic at Love Street.

I would point out that referees are being asked to retire too early Pat Nevin BBC football pundit

"Obviously referees makes mistakes but they are all genuine mistakes and everybody makes mistakes - players, managers and commentators," added Smith.

"Referees are in high-profile situations but they are all honest characters and they know at times when they have done something wrong.

"But I don't feel that it has to be highlighted and them blamed."

Smith insists Scottish referees are not second rate and he was backed up by BBC football pundit Pat Nevin.

"I think the standard of refereeing in Scotland does compare with other leagues in Europe," said Smith.

"There are problems throughout. I watched a couple of games in England at the weekend and people were talking about refereeing mistakes so it happens everywhere."

Nevin, like Smith, spent time on both sides of the border during his career.

And the former Scotland star has sympathy for match officials in Scotland.

"They are under so much scrutiny," he told BBC Scotland's Sportsound. "The media are so harsh on Scottish referees.

"But they get 95%, 96% percent of decisions right, let's not forget that.

"When I came back to Scotland I noticed there wasn't as much communication between players and the referee.

"That's not to say referees are not as good up here.

My Sport: DEBATE Refs in Scotland are generally awful - so random with calls, that is what is so annoying - don't seem to go to the same law one day to the next smeddum

"I would point out that referees are being asked to retire too early.

"Guys that finally know and understand the game are being forced to step down."

When asked if there would any benefit from referees explaining decisions after games, Smith said: "I don't know if that is worthwhile.

"I can understand why they don't want to give interviews in press conferences after games.

"They would go down the line of being asked about everything.

"Maybe from time to time they should give answers to some of the questions but their actual answer to a lot of the questions would be: 'In my opinion, that's what I saw.'

"We have seen videos where mistakes have been made but it still comes down to the fact that it is a genuine error at the time, so I don't think that there is an explanation required."