JEFF'S TAKE ON ANDY HALLIDAY'S FARCICAL SENDING OFF ON MONDAY NIGHT

27th January 2016



As you can well imagine I have been inundated with questions regarding Andy Halliday's sending off on Monday night at Greenock Morton, especially as I was present at the game.



Before I give my opinions, let's get somethings clear. I am no longer connected or affiliated to the FA or any refereeing body. My views are my own based on my vast experiences at the highest levels of domestic football.



I am an avid supporter of Glasgow Rangers but I can assure any readers that my views and support of my friend Andy Halliday are exactly the same as if I was describing the same incident if the player was Scott Brown playing in an Old Firm game or indeed any other player in the game we all love. I would further add that if the assistant referee has based his advice to the referee on something I did not see I apologise unreservedly for my following comments.



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The referee should not get any criticism over the incident; if an assistant informs him of something that he hasn't seen his hands are tied. On the night in my opinion the referee had a good game, impartial and didn't get any major decisions wrong.



And so to the incident, I watched Andy celebrate towards the Rangers fans but on the night hadn't seen his brief gesture with a clenched fist in the direction of the assistant referee and Morton fans who were 40-50 yards away from him. As soon as the assistant flagged and it was clear he was looking towards Rangers players I knew what was likely to happen, that not withstanding my initial reaction was that the incident escalated due to a over excessive reaction by the assistant.



Nowadays it is difficult at times especially when officials wear headsets to know exactly who has made the decision. Recently at Aston villa a penalty was awarded after a delay when both the ref and active assistant initially didn't appear to want to give it.



I digress; Halliday has in my opinion did absolutely nothing to warrant the issue of a yellow card. When that is a second card it has to be able to be sold as a creditable decision. This amazed everyone. In my opinion the Lino got busy and totally overreacted. It's perhaps worth noting that a few minutes earlier Halliday had been cautioned and appeared to voice displeasure towards the same assistant!!



His celebration was not one of incitement - for God's sake he was in the middle of the pitch.



Reference has been made to the infamous Gazza caution for "booking the Ref" that showed the referee in a very poor light. Lacking humour and personality also it castigated all match officials and this incident will do the same.



You cannot appeal a yellow card other than in cases of mistaken identity, so Andy will miss Saturday's important clash with Falkirk.



There is a solution though. As a former referee my sympathies are usually with match officials. Human error is possible and in the speed of the modern game mistakes will occur especially when players are cheating. Honesty and integrity are the referees main attributes and post match nobody is more aware of incorrect decisions that the officials themselves.



I recall after cautioning Alan Smith for Leeds United at Old Trafford I reviewed the incident on video and realised I'd got it wrong. I had to report the caution but at the same time advised the FA that with hindsight I'd got it wrong. The caution was quashed.



Some said it was a sign of weakness. I disagreed and my credibility with Smith and Leeds was actually enhanced. Last night's assistant may have thought from a distance that Halliday's gesture was worse than it actually was - if so he should have the courage to come forward. Alternatively if his employers believe he was correct then they should come out and let everyone know so that other players don't fall foul of what appears to me to be a ridiculous interpretation.



I could say a lot more, but this incident poses a crossroads moment to the relationship between the authorities and clubs, players and supporters.



If it is deemed that Halliday deserved a yellow card then we in a sorry state. The law makers would be held in ridicule. I would go as far as to say that in a life time of playing, watching and officiating football matches I have never seen a crazier decision.



I do not expect Andy to be playing at Ibrox on Saturday and that in itself makes Scottish football and its match officials a laughing stock around the world.



If my opinions are wrong I will happily stand up and withdraw them and apologise to anyone who is aggrieved or disrespected by them. I feel however that the apology should be forthcoming from others.



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