Police to investigate threatening messages aimed at Old Firm referee

Police Scotland launch investigation into threats aimed at Old Firm referee Kevin Clancy, after he received over 100 abusive messages following the decision to disallow Alfredo Morelos’ goal in Rangers 3-2 defeat by Celtic

• Clancy was threatened after his email and phone number were posted online
• The referee disallowed Alfredo Morelos’ goal during Saturday’s Old Firm derby
• Rangers condemned the threats but are astonished as the SFA back the decision 

Police have opened an investigation into the alleged threatening communications received by referee Kevin Clancy, following Saturday’s cinch Premiership clash between Celtic and Rangers. 

Ange Postecoglou’s side moved 12 points clear at the top of the standings after winning the Old Firm encounter 3-2 at Celtic Park.

Rangers boss Michael Beale claimed Clancy got two major decisions wrong, with the Ibrox club subsequently writing to the Scottish Football Association seeking an explanation for one of them – an early goal from Alfredo Morelos, which was disallowed.

The governing body revealed on Monday that it had ‘referred a significant volume of threatening and abusive emails to Police Scotland after personal and professional contact details’ of the referee were published online following the game.

The SFA said its security and integrity manager has been liaising with Clancy and police over the ‘series of unacceptable messages being sent via email and phone’, with Police Scotland confirming it is now looking into it.

Police Scotland were asked to investigate after referee Kevin Clancy received death threats

Clancy controversially disallowed Alfredo Morelos’s goal during Rangers 3-2 defeat to Celtic

Rangers condemned abuse towards Clancy but are ‘astonished’ the SFA backed the decision

A statement shared on Tuesday reads: ‘We are investigating alleged threatening communications which were reported to us by the SFA today.

‘All reports of this nature are treated with the utmost seriousness and will be investigated thoroughly.

‘We will provide support to those affected as our investigation progresses.’

The SFA had asked Police Scotland to investigate after Old Firm referee Kevin Clancy received death threats and online abuse.

It is understood that more than 100 abusive messages were sent to the official after his work email address and phone number was posted on social media.

Rangers manager Michael Beale was critical of the Morelos decision, with the Ibrox side writing to the SFA seeking clarity over why the Colombian was penalised for an infringement on Celtic’s Alistair Johnston with the score at 0-0.

The governing body replied swiftly, citing a push on the Parkhead defender by his opponent.

That sparked a fresh war of words on Monday night, with the Ibrox club claiming they were ‘astonished’ by that response.

A Rangers spokesperson said: ‘Firstly, Rangers condemns in the strongest terms any abuse of match officials. We are all passionate about our game, but targeted, personal abuse of referees cannot be tolerated.

‘The club can confirm the Scottish FA has responded with regards to the disallowed Alfredo Morelos goal, with the response claiming the correct decision was taken. The club is astonished by this, especially given most observers, including former referees and former players, could see no issue with the goal standing.

‘This comes following a weekend in England where PGMOL have offered an apology to Brighton and Hove Albion for the non-award of a penalty in their match with Tottenham Hotspur, alongside a pledge to review the incident.

‘While an apology does not alter the outcome of a match, such responsibility and openness would be welcome in Scotland.’

Rangers referenced the openness of PGMOL in England after they apologised to Brighton

On Monday night the SFA’s security and integrity manager was liaising with police to identify those responsible for sending abusive messages to the match official.

Twitter have moved to suspend the account of an individual who posted the referee’s contact details online with a message calling on fans to ‘harass him at work’.

SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: ‘The nature of the messages goes way beyond criticism of performance and perceived decision-making — some are potentially criminal in nature and include threats and abuse towards Kevin and his family.

‘We have referred the correspondence to the police and condemn this behaviour in the strongest possible terms, as well as the posting of a referee’s personal details online with the sole purpose of causing distress.

‘Football is our national game. It improves and saves lives. 

‘Without referees there is no game and, while decisions will always be debated with or without the use of VAR, we cannot allow a situation to develop where a referee’s privacy and safety, and those of his family, are compromised.’

A statement from the Scottish Senior Referees’ Association — the representative body for officials — also condemned the ‘wholly unacceptable level of abuse’ directed towards Clancy.

‘Referees are not immune from criticism and accept there will always be legitimate debate on subjective decision making,’ read the statement.

‘However, when this becomes targeted threats and abuse impacting on their personal and professional life this clearly crosses the line.

Celtic’s win in the Old Firm Derby took the leaders 12 points clear in the Scottish Premiership

‘We continue to offer our full support to Kevin and all our members, many of whom have experienced an increase in abuse this season. We welcome the Scottish FA’s strong support to protect referees and the wider image of the game.’

Meanwhile, former referees were divided on the Morelos incident and the response of officials.

Speaking on Sky Sports, former English top-flight referee Dermot Gallagher said: ‘I think Celtic got very, very lucky (that the goal was not awarded to Rangers). Both players are grappling. For me, best let it go.’

Video assistant referee Nick Walsh declined to call Clancy to his monitor, with former Scottish official Stuart Dougal claiming there was no basis for intervention from Clydesdale House.

Dougal told BBC Scotland: ‘VAR can’t intervene here because it’s not seen as a clear and obvious error.

‘If there is something much more blatant, if there is no contact whatsoever, then of course VAR can step in and ask the referee to have a look at it again.

‘But where they are looking at that clip and it’s a bit 50-50, 60-40, depending on which side of the fence you’re on, VAR under the current protocols can’t get involved.’

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