The free tickets that were previously provided to retired linesmen and referees for the Scottish Cup final match between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park have been withdrawn by the Scottish Football Association (SFA).
The famous event, which includes a pre-match luncheon, will no longer host previous officials due to a decision based on “security and segregation concerns.”
About forty former officials received an apology email from Crawford Allan, the SFA’s Head of Referee Operations, informing them of the decision. He advised them to seek and buy tickets instead, and then make a reimbursement request. The email expressed apologies for the situation and outlined the possible threats within the stadium that led to the decision.
Reactions to the decision have been divided; some have questioned whether it is just to give former officials preference over ardent supporters, particularly for a game as important as the Celtics vs. Rangers final. Meanwhile, anonymous sources among the ranks of retired officials have voiced dismay and regret, implying broader dissatisfaction with the SFA’s current leadership.
SunSport was informed by the concerned party that “everyone is raging, it’s absolute nonsense.” It feels like there’s more to it than the letter says because there’s never been a problem with safety or security before, regardless of who’s been in the final. We believe that they merely object to our presence. When it comes to referees’ emotions, the SFA has lost both the dressing room and the observers.
This should be scrapped altogether, as far as we’re concerned.
