Celtic legend Kenny Dalglish isn’t happy at all with the Scottish FA’s decision to haul Brendan Rodgers into Hampden for a disciplinary hearing.
Rodgers has been handed a touchline ban after critical comments about referees Don Robertson and John Beaton in the wake of a controversial defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle.
The Bhoys boss questioned the competency of the officials and fell foul of an SFA rule, meaning he’ll have to sit in the stands for Sunday’s trip to face Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.
Some pundits have suggested Rodgers got off lightly for his comments and reckon he should have been handed the full two-match touchline ban rather than have one suspended until the end of the season.
However, Dalglish reckons that the Celtic boss didn’t do anything wrong and shouldn’t have been punished by the football authority.
Kenny Dalglish on Brendan Rodgers touchline ban
He told The Sunday Post [31/03 print edition]: “Some people think he has been given special treatment for not getting a two-game ban. My view is that he shouldn’t have been anywhere near Hampden in the first place for a disciplinary hearing.
“He was critical of the match officials and chose to highlight that after the game. He spoke in a calm and measured manner. I don’t think he was over the top. He had every right to be angry as some of the decisions were wrong, particularly the penalty award against them.
“Yet, he was punished. Were the match officials sanctioned in any shape or form? As a manager, you must have the right to defend your football club. That is very important. A manager has a responsibility to represent and defend all.
“Supporters also want to hear a manager stand up for their club. They will ask serious questions of you if you don’t. And would be right to do so. But it would seem the SFA doesn’t want to hear any words of criticism.
“Is the day coming when they will try to ban managers from offering an opinion? The bottom line is that our officials need to be held accountable when they mess up. That is only right for the good of our game.
“They are far too inconsistent and the decision-making should be much better, especially now they have the use of VAR. But it seems as though one handball will be punished for one week, the next week another referee will simply wave play on. It’s no wonder managers, players and supporters are furious most Saturday nights.”
It’s good to see a prominent Scottish football legend so vigorously defend Celtic on this issue. Dalglish is correct in everything he says.
Rather than seek to shut down opinion about poor standards in Scottish football, the SFA should be working more progressively with clubs, coaches and players to find a better way forward on the refereeing front.
Perhaps their heralded review will help change a defensive culture within the refereeing department – but don’t hold your breath.