CELTIC MANAGER Ange Postecoglou has expressed deep concern at the abuse directed at referee Kevin Clancy following the Glasgow derby.
Threatening phone calls and emails have been sent to Clancy, with police now investigating the situation after his contact details were published online after Celtic’s derby win. The referee’s family were also targeted by foolish individuals.
Threats were targetted at Clancy after he disallowed an Alfredo Morelos goal at 0–0 after he was deemed to push Alistair Johnston. Michael Beale and the Ibrox club were up in arms over the decision, writing a letter of complaint to the SFA.
The FA didn’t entertain the letter, after all, Morelos’ hands were clearly on Johnston’s as he pushed the Canadian defender.
Speaking via Celtic TV, Postecoglou fully condemned the threatening messages sent to Clancy.
“It’s a really timely reminder to all of us about the language we use and the reasonings we use behind things,” said Postecoglou.
“We all understand we work in a public space and with that comes scrutiny, but that should begin and end within the professions we work in, not go into our personal lives.
“And particularly with officials because, for the most part, we have clubs or supporter bases we would like to think would go into bat for us in situations like this. But the officials are kind of left out on their own.
“It’s concerning for any person. We shouldn’t even be talking about it.”
“It was a real derby game and it had a bit of everything, but it wasn’t a great game.
“Players and, dare I say it, managers made a lot more mistakes than the officials did on the day.
“If anyone analysed that game and thinks one moment decided that, then they are not really looking at the big picture.
“From my perspective there is a decision there where everyone has opinions on it but it’s not fact-based because it’s not like it’s an offside or something you can clearly see. It’s an opinion-based thing. Everyone gives their opinion and ultimately one person has to make the decision.
“It’s all right for us to give our opinion and be really brave but when you have got to be there and make a decision, that’s when we have to have respect for the officials and allow them to do their job.”
No one should be targeted on a personal level for doing their job.
