After his controversial performance during Celtic’s 1-0 defeat to Rangers in the New Year derby last month, referee John Beaton has reportedly called in Police over threats and abusive messages sent to him.
The whistler was party to the decision made by the Scottish FA to allow Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos to escape censure following three violent incidents where he stamped on, kicked and punched three separate Celtic players.
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This decision led Celtic to issue a statement earlier today calling on the referee to explain his decision not to punish the Colombian despite clearly seeing the incidents and that no punishment was warranted.
However, the news of Beaton receiving threats was leaked to the Press Association just before the morning edition of Scotland’s newspapers went to press – a convenient time to say the least.
Before I continue I have to say this on the record having experienced my own fair share of threats and abuse over the years from certain elements – no one should be subjected to death threats, threats of violence or abuse from anonymous trolls who think they are billy big baws while hiding behind their keyboards. But I also have to question the timing of the news as it seems to be perfectly staged by either Beaton himself or the Scottish FA.
If the threats and abuse are indeed real then I hope that the Police trace those responsible and punish them accordingly, but the whole thing smells of deflection tactics from Beaton and the Scottish FA.
While the Police have yet to speak to the official formally, the club will continue to push forward for answers from the referee, the referees association and the Scottish FA as a whole.
Celtic’s statement earlier today, read:
"“Celtic Football Club is surprised that there will be no disciplinary action taken by the Scottish FA regarding the incidents during the match on December 29, which have been widely addressed in the media.“It is reported that no action was taken because the match referee saw all of the incidents in question.“Given that the referee took no action at the time, this tends to suggest that such conduct, which in one instance led to a Celtic player, Anthony Ralston, being injured, is acceptable in Scottish football. That cannot be right.“On the day, Celtic did not play well enough to win the match, something we accept. However, this issue goes beyond the result of the match.“Celtic is not the only club this season to raise concerns regarding the standard of officiating at matches in Scotland, concerns which have also been shared by many commentators on the game.“In order to fully understand what is going on, Celtic, our supporters, Scottish clubs and the general Scottish football public need transparency in these matters, and we, therefore, call on the Scottish FA to allow the referee, John Beaton, to explain these decisions publicly as well as any match officials involved in other similar circumstances.“In the meantime, we have requested a meeting with Scottish FA chief executive, Ian Maxwell, and the Association’s Head of Refereeing.”"
News of Beaton receiving threats follows on from former Celtic striker Chris Sutton calling the decision not to punish Morelos as a stitch-up and would open up claims of corruption within the organisation.
And photos being leaked on social media of Beaton allegedly drinking in the Crown Bar in Bellshill in the aftermath of the derby game smiling away with two drinks in his hands posing for photographs with Rangers fans. Doing little to quell claims of corruption and bias.