Tom Boyd is Justified in his Dunfermline Comments

Comments made by Celtic commentator Tom Boyd have come under fire in the last few days. The comments in question have prompted a Scottish Football Association compliance officer to begin reviewing the incident. Celtic FC has come out in support of Tom Boyd after news of the SFA review. However, is the backlash against Tom Boyd fair or is it just more of the same as many fans claim?

During Celtic’s match against Dunfermline on Saturday the referee in question, John Beaton, routinely failed to make easy, justifiable calls in Celtic’s favor. As most fans who watched the match, I too was appalled at the amount of fouls and penalties that went uncalled in Celtic’s favor.

Normally, I am all for referees letting the clubs “play it out” given it has no outcome on the result of the match. However, throughout most of the Celtic v Dunfermline match, many of the blatant fouls and penalties that went uncalled could have easily seen Celtic take a dominating and unconquerable lead against the Championship side. The most obvious of which was the handball committed by Dunfermline in the 12′ of extra time.

Tom Boyd’s comments in question on Celtic TV occurred right after the non-call on the handball:

"“That’s an absolutely scandalous decision by John Beaton and we’ve seen that before on many an occasion.“It’s unquestionably a penalty. He’s moved his hand towards the ball, heading towards goal and what does John Beaton not know about the new rules?“If he doesn’t know that’s a penalty then he shouldn’t be in the middle of the park refereeing a football game.“He’ll probably be welcomed down his pub tonight again.”"

Penalties, or the lack of calling obvious and blatant penalties in extra time carries even more consequence than in regulation. Had the handball been called, Celtic could have taken the lead and the squad would have tackled the second half of extra time differently than without the lead. Tom Boyd understands this, and his frustration unfortunately was vented on live television for fans of both teams to hear.

Tom Boyd should not face the “wrath” of the SFA, whatever that may entail. Instead, Tom Boyd should be left alone for his words against John Beaton despite the rule that clubs cannot speak disparagingly of referees. Referees in every top tier league in the world are supposed to make their club fandom known so that they cannot referee those games. It seems that is not the case on the Scottish Premier League, and no one is allowed to criticize them when their bias starts begins to show.