Should Scottish Refs have to do likewise?

[JK Rolling]

Saw this on the BBC site -

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36075347

Kevin Friend: Which teams do Premier League referees support?

The fallout over referee Jon Moss' performance in Leicester's 2-2 draw against West Ham took attention away from another officiating talking point.
Last week, Leicester fan Kevin Friend's removal from taking charge of title rivals Tottenham's game at Stoke had already sparked debate.
Instead he will be in the middle of Manchester City's trip to Newcastle on Tuesday night.
But how does a referee's home town, or who they support, affect which games they are actually allowed to officiate?


Do referees have to say who they support?

Yes. And referees will not get appointed to the clubs they support.
"At the beginning of every season the referees' background information is audited," said Keith Hackett, the former head of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the organisation that makes refereeing appointments for Premier League games.
"They complete a form that includes who they support, the history of if they've played the game and with the addresses where they are residing.
"That gives you a picture that comes into use when you're appointing. It's about ensuring, for example, you wouldn't appoint a Sheffield-based ref for a Sheffield team."

There is then a list of the Refs and which team they support followed by the reporter's notes on who they have/have not refereed as a result of this disclosure.

Please forgive my lack of knowledge on the subject if you know more about it and can clarify if there is a similar set-up in Scotland, but if there is not then why not?

[johnbc70]

It should happen but never will for obvious reasons.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Can of worms. Referee living in Edinburgh or Greater Glasgow but supports a team from the other city.

Would this mean that weegie refs were barred from refereeing games in teams across the city?

I get the spirit but see it as unworkable. What we need is to be in a position where we can trust the integrity of officials but more importantly those overseeing their performances (and taking action) - oh sorry forgot it was Scotland we're considering...

[bob12345]

The reason it wouldn't work in Scotland is because most people support the Old Firlm, so young referees will be no different. And if a referee was to put down the OF as a supported team, they'd effectively be ruling themselves out of the biggest matches, most cup finals, etc.

[PeeJay]

Why stop at referees: why not look into players's backgrounds too ...

[Geo_1875]

I'm sure they don't even ask our referees which school they went to.

[Scouse Hibee]

Professional referees so it should all be about their integrity.

[Scott Allan Key]

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The reason it wouldn't work in Scotland is because most people support the Old Firlm, so young referees will be no different. And if a referee was to put down the OF as a supported team, they'd effectively be ruling themselves out of the biggest matches, most cup finals, etc.

Would mean we wouldn't ever get incompetents like Craig Thomson refereeing us again or season ticket holders at Ibrox against Rangers. There'll be enough referees surely. Can we compile our own list of Grade 1 referees, linesmen and their teams?

[Diclonius]

SFA: "So, Angus McFerguson, who do you support"

Angus: "Ehhhhhh ah support Ran.. Ah mean Airdrie. Diamonds born an bred me"

That's why it wouldn't work.

[GreenLake]

Accurate lie detector technology required to enforce this.