The new season is underway in the unique environment of Scottish football. With enlarged Champions’ League group stage football on offer for the SPFL winners, the pressure on Scotland’s parttime referees has never been greater. Thankfully we have the calm, measured expert opinions of the Yorkshire Whistler to guide us through the big contentious issues. … [continue reading]
Refereeing
New Season, Same SFA Generated Risks
I have had it confirmed this morning that the Yorkshire Whistler has agreed to adjudicate on contentious major decisions affecting SPFL matches for the 2023-24 season. My thanks to him for his time, patience, and ability to explain using language a golden retriever would understand, the nuances of the laws of football and their application. … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes – It’s Over!
This edition covers fixtures up to the completion of match day 34. The impact of a call being incorrect can be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL. 07/05/23 Hearts vs Celtic Incident 1 Referee Nick Walsh Game Minute 42nd Score At Time 0-0 Incident Cochrane pulls down Maeda Outcome … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes Weeks 30 and 31 – A Ragin’ We Will Go!
This edition covers fixtures on the 1st, 2nd and 8th of April 2023 – match days 30 and 31. The impact of a call being incorrect can be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL. 01/04/23 The Rangers vs Dundee United Incident 1 Referee Don Robertson Game Minute Score At … [continue reading]
Dallas Does “Dougie, Dougie”
Fir Park was, for the second time this season, the venue for highly unusual officiating impacting the top of the Scottish Premier League (SPFL) table. Dickinson’s “Dougie, Dougie” Moment In November, Virtual Assistant Referee (VAR) lead David Dickinson advised referee Willie Collum that Jota was offside when scoring a goal for Celtic that would have … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes – Week 29 – “(it) does not feel quite right”
This edition covers fixtures on the 18th March – match day 29. The impact of a call being incorrect can be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL. 18/03/23 Motherwell vs The Rangers Incident 1 Referee Nick Walsh Game Minute 3rd Score At Time 0-0 Incident van Veen scores for … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes to Week 28
This edition covers fixtures from the 6th February to the present – up match day 28. The impact of a call being incorrect can be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL. 18/02/23 Livingston vs The Rangers Incident 1 Referee David Dickinson Game Minute 24th Score At Time 0-0 Incident … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes – Weeks 24 and 25
This edition covers two SPFL fixture cards. On 1st February Celtic took on Livingston whilst The Rangers travelled to Tynecastle. 4th and 5th February saw The Rangers entertain Ross County whilst Celtic took their tractor to Perth. The impact of a call being incorrect can be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes – Week 23
Another week, another terabyte of digital space used debating VAR. This week, Celtic travelled to Tangerine Tannadice whilst Micky Beale’s plucky challengers hosted the Saints of Perth. The impact of a call being incorrect can be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL. 28/01/23 The Rangers vs St Johnstone Incident … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes – League Cup Semi-Finals Special
Whilst the league was on hold as the League Cup Semi- Finals played out at sodden Hampden, the Yorkshire Whistler thought he had a week off. “But they keep pulling me back in!“ Such is the refreshing and novel approach the SFA take to implementing VAR in Scotland, there is the need for a League … [continue reading]