Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell has urged managers and referees to “drop the egos” and get round the table to improve officiating and Scottish football’s disciplinary system.
A season riddled with VAR and refereeing controversies came to a head last month when Aberdeen called for modernisation of the SFA’s rulebook after losing an appeal over Graeme Shinnie’s red card against Ross County. The Dons were furious after the midfielder had an extra game added to his ban for what was deemed a “frivolous” appeal and urged fellow clubs to back them with chief executive Alan Burrows – who only left Well for Pittodrie earlier this year – eager to revamp the Judicial Panel Protocol.
Kettlewell himself held talks with referees chief Crawford Allan in March to discuss concerns he had with decisions and the use of VAR in Motherwell’s defeat to Rangers. Now the Fir Park boss has called for a wider debate to be held – involving all clubs – but only if all parties are willing to listen.
