Police in Scotland have opened an investigation after referee Kevin Clancy was subjected to online threats following Celtic’s narrow victory over Rangers on Saturday afternoon. Clancy was targeted in the wake of the fixture after his personal details were reportedly published on the internet, with abusive messages also allegedly being sent to his children.
Police Scotland have since revealed that a probe has been launched into the threats, with a spokesperson saying: “We are investigating alleged threatening communications which were reported to us by the Scottish Football Association (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.”
It comes after SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell insisted that a zero-tolerance approach will be taken by the organisation in dealing with the threats received by Clancy, who has been on the international list of FIFA referees since 2012.
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“The nature of the messages goes way beyond criticism of performance and perceived decision-making,” Maxwell told the BBC. “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.”
Clancy ruled out a first-half goal by Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos during Saturday’s game, which was won by Celtic to move 12 points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership table. An official statement from Rangers on Monday condemned the abusive and threatening messages sent to Clancy but also underlined their disappointment with the SFA’s response to Morelos’ disallowed goal.
“Firstly, Rangers condemn in the strongest terms any abuse of match officials,” the statement reads. “We are all passionate about or 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 made. 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.”
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