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Support floods in for Levein as he stands by blast at ref



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Published Date: 13 May 2008
By RONNIE ESPLIN
DUNDEE UNITED manager Craig Levein claims he received dozens of messages of support from the Scottish football fraternity following his blast at referee Mike McCurry.
Levein is still seething about McCurry's performance in the Tannadice side's 3-1 defeat by Rangers at Ibrox despite the referee admitting he had called the game's two crucial decisions wrongly in favour of the home side.

United have complained to
Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith after McCurry turned down what looked a very strong penalty claim when Rangers defender David Weir clashed with Noel Hunt, while a goal from Danny Swanson was, according to television pictures, incorrectly disallowed for offside.

McCurry admitted on the SFA website he had got both crucial decisions wrong, claiming he was unsighted at the penalty incident and had been wrongly advised by his assistant for Swanson's "goal". Levein claimed his outburst elicited empathy and sympathy from all over the country. He said: "I have received loads of text messages of support from people in the game over the weekend.

"You can ask any other team if they get the breaks in crucial matches in Glasgow and the answer is no.

"It's the most annoyed I've been in all the time I've been in the game. These are not innocuous things like corners or throw-ins, these are goals and penalties."



The full article contains 235 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 13 May 2008 10:41 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Dundee United FC
 
1

Johnny Jambo,

13/05/2008 11:28:59
Why don't all of those who have given support to Levein get together to address the issue at the higher level.
2

invictager,

Kent 13/05/2008 12:09:13
He should take a leaf out of Jimmy Calderwood's book and see it as one of theses things.

There is no "issue" to address other than a referee making bad mistakes.
3

RA,

Thornton 13/05/2008 12:11:21
I guess because the SFA are closed to the criticism. They've had this complaint for years and never satisfactorily addressed it. I believe the complaints should be directed instead at UEFA & FIFA so that it becomes an embarassment to them and they make the SFA take action. At the end of the day, whichever side you take on these things, having it seen to be fair is what we all want.
4

Shopping anyone?,

13/05/2008 12:11:34
It's pointless writing to the powers that be to complain. They send a meaningless and standardised answer to anyone who does.
5

invictager,

Kent 13/05/2008 12:13:51
UEFA are too busy dealing with proper (proven by facts not paranoia)refereeing corruption in countries like Italy or Germany to bother with us.
6

Made_In _Leith,

Edinburgh 13/05/2008 12:19:42
#2 & 5

Mistakes we can take but too many referees have a long track record of bias towards either side of the OF. They say that 90% of Scots favour either Celtic or Rangers so it stands to reason that referees have a favourite out of the 2. History tells us that if a referee gives a crucial decision against the OF they are in deep sh!t with the SFA, SPL or whoever is acting as a front for the bigot brothers these days.
7

Dragonlord,

13/05/2008 12:24:09
4# They don't even do that sometimes.

The officials cheated end of.
Ref claims he saw the player go down with Weir " in close proximity " and that there was another player in possition to make a last min.tackle, but didn't see the penalty? That's some selective eyesight,even specsavers could sort that one out.
8

RA,

Thornton 13/05/2008 12:32:14
#4 & #5 I agree. The complaints need to come from supporters of all our clubs, often and for a long time. It's a concerted effort needed, otherwise we'll still discuss accusations of bias in ten years time.
I know UEFA & FIFA would ignore it. After an extended period of consistent complaints they might want to do something to get rid of the irritation though.
9

Jingling Geordie,

Sunshine on Leith 13/05/2008 12:41:03
Call it what you like but the bottom line is that the ref is a "Cheat".
Such decisions do not even out over the season, the benifit goes to the "old firm" time and time again.
The ref should get the P45............just like Levein got from Leiester.
10

Around the Funnel,

13/05/2008 12:59:45
Delighted that Levein has come out and said what fans of all OF clubs have known for years.
11

GFr,

Edinburgh 13/05/2008 13:03:08

No question at all. Everyone who supports a Club outside of the Old Firm knows that the dice are loaded. Not corruption but , as Craig Levein , said " Bottle"

The other factor is officials know that the pundits on radio and TV and the west coast media will always do whatever they can to justify the refs decisions as they don't want to spoil their "special relationships" with the two Glasgow Clubs

Recently on Scotsport Hugh Keevins commented that the referee would have dealt differently with dissent ( Aberdeen v Hibs) had it been an Old Firm player . The rest of the penalty joked and agreed but didn't seem to think there is anything wrong with this.

Perhaps the words of Romanov are not so daft after all!!!!



12

Scotish Exile,

13/05/2008 13:11:18
The real way to deal with this is to score more golas than either of the old firm and put it beyond dispute, not squeal like a scalded cat when the game is over, come on Levein, stop blmaing others for your own rather substantial inadequacies!
13

RA,

Thornton 13/05/2008 13:14:57
But for those decisions #12 maybe they would have.
14

Phil MaGlass,

Holland 13/05/2008 13:37:36
Its gone on for years the OF always getting the shout but what has gone on not only in the Utd game but quite a few of the most recent games is nothing more than damn cheating,its absolutely astonishing alot of the decisions that have been made,ask Hibs,Aberdeen,M,Well the dice ARE loaded in the OF favour and nothing the SFA or glasgow press say will change the vast majority of football supporters view that Scottish fitba is basically corrupt and the rest will say the refs bottle it.UEFA need to stick their nose into SFA business.
15

Johnny Jambo,

13/05/2008 13:48:36
#2 I agree that there is no issue to address except in the minds of all those who believe in conspiracy theories, and of course all those supporters that Craig Levein has.

But what I am saying is that maybe the clubs should address the whole situation at one of the meetings and ask that Referees are assessed more strictly and demote them when they are seen to be making too many mistakes.
16

Will1875,

13/05/2008 14:26:13
I have been going to football for 20 years now and no team gets any "BIG DECISIONS" in Glasgow. Refs say there is no BIAS but ther obviously is. If its not BIAS then it's OF fan/manager PRESSURE.
17

Will1875,

13/05/2008 14:27:48
Levein has gone up in my estimations by shouting out about refs decisions.

The decisions even themselves out over a season fro Rangers and Celtic but not for the other teams.
18

Boyne Bhoy,

13/05/2008 14:51:33
I'm with Levein 100% on this particular ref-look up BBC articles going back to 2004 and off the top of my head there have been complaints specifically mentioning the Rev Ref from Hibs, Dundee, Aberdeen and Celtic, could probably find more but don't think I have to....He's a disgrace. Most of the rest are just incompetent.
19

TJ 1873,

13/05/2008 14:55:20
I can understand Levein's anger but he really has embarrassed himself such unfair criticism. The penalty was hardly stonewall and watching the video again confirms the ref's claims of having his view obstructed and the presence of Cuellar ruling out a red.

The offside decision was actually right since the Utd player was interfering with play by forcing Weir to play the ball, blocking the keeper's view and flicking out a foot to try to play or step over the ball. Video evidence again confirms the keeper's view was obstructed, desipte Levein's bizarre an irrational claim that being 20 yards excludes such a possibility.
20

amfinitten,

midlothian 13/05/2008 14:55:42
Surely if, going by the comments, that the OF get all the decisions in Glasgow then why do they occasionally get beat at home. Why do the referees in charge of these games not make sure that the away team doesn't win?
21

TJ 1873,

13/05/2008 14:59:46
I recall Hearts getting two huge decisions in the 98 Cup final against Rangers when Willie Young gave a penalty for a foul fully five yards from the bos then denied McCoist a late penalty when he was brought down in the box.
22

TJ 1873,

13/05/2008 15:18:29
As a Rangers fans, I can accept that the smaller clubs struggle to get the big decisions in big games and that it's more to do with a huge stadium full of fans screaming for every decision intimidating the ref, rather than any bias.

To be honest, I don't know how anyone wants to do the job. Every set of fans want more decisions than they should reasonably receive and get angry when the real errors, which are only part of being human, go against them.

I'm not convinced that they do equal themselves out over a season, but Rangers could have had a penalty and Wilkie, Hunt and Swanson could also have walked. Even in the Leauge Cup Final, Ranger also had a stonewall penalty turned down and Utd got a very soft penalty against Rangers at Tannadice whilst Cousin's goal was ruled offside because his arm was offside, which is excluded by the law.

This season, I think it's Celtic who have had the favour of refereeing decisions with Vennegoor avoiding red card despite a throat-high karate kick that would scare Ricksen (yet no media outcry), 5 opposition players sent off in the last 5 games at Parkhead, numerous McDonald offside goals standing amongst many other advantages.

Add it up and Celtic have been seen 26 points unfairly go their way, yet I do not think there is a conspiracy. I think referees are human and are fearful of making certain decisions if they're not 100% sure. It's human nature.

It happens more at Parkhead because they've got an extra 6,000 fans, the pitch is closer to them and there's always the possibility of a pitch invasion, hail of coins, lighters, mobiles, bottles, cans and the like, before you even consider the post match window smashings, harassment of relatives, road rage and libellous websites of the many crazed Celtic minded bigots who always have to bring the referee's religion into play.

If we are to appease such Celtic hooligans, we shall have to appoint the Pope, instead of a Reverend, as referee, since the former is allegedly
23

TJ 1873,

13/05/2008 16:02:17
...infallible.
24

Newman!,

13/05/2008 16:06:01
McCurry should be sacked. Simple as that. An example has to be made of these corrupt/incompetent/cowardly refs.
25

Hmmm..,

13/05/2008 16:20:30
Newman et al...you're just a bunch of village idiots...crooked teeth, boggle eyed, gathering like labotomised morons with torches outside the town hall.




26

paulmac,

surrey 13/05/2008 16:39:07
#23

"It's more to do with a huge stadium full of fans screaming for every decision, intimidating the ref, rather than any bias"

Funny thing is.....Celtic were denied a stonewall penalty against Dundee Utd a few weeks back at Celtic Park...the ref was about 10 yards away....had a clear view...and just shook his head and booked the Celtic player for commenting......that game ended 0-0...

The ref.....Mike McCurry....

At Ibrox the assistant ref had a clear view of the penalty decision....and ignores the situation....

Yet at the offside....the assistant stated he could clearly see an incident that was further away and at a more difficult angle to make a decision??

Coincidence?.....

Michael McCurry has officiated Rangers more than any other official this season?....every major decision in those games has gone in favour of Rangers....

Coincidence?.....

Michael McCurry has officiated Celtic 4 times this season....we have won 1 of those games due to an own goal.....every major decision has gone against us!....

Coincidence?
27

paulmac,

surrey 13/05/2008 16:49:16
#26

Says the nameless cyber brave man....
28

Hmmm..,

Not stupid enuff to put my own name down as my use 13/05/2008 16:56:36
Oh yes...my name....Mike McCurry :)))

And yes...we're all laughing at celtic, you paranoid numpty.
29

Hmmm..,

13/05/2008 16:57:32
Paulmac sounds like sac....coincidence?
30

paulmac,

surrey 13/05/2008 16:59:20
#23

The only send off in the last 5 at Celtic Park that was questionable was Bob Malcolm......

The other 4 were stick ons.....or are saying that the likes of Cueller punching the ball off the line was a major decision that went in our favour unfairly??

I said at the time JVOH should have been sent off for his challenge....and that the only reason I can think he didn't was due to the ref being too close the foul!

McDonald has had 2....that's right 2 marginal offside goals....he has also had 2 perfectly good goals disallowed for the same reason...marginal that proved he was on side....

The rest of your nonsense is utter pash....

26 points you say.....list em!

31

paulmac,

surrey 13/05/2008 17:04:52
#29...Not stupid enuff

Sooooo....how stupid are you?

A halfwit?
A fullwit?
Or a full Village idiot?

C'mon be honest which one are you?

32

Jambo-ree,

13/05/2008 17:05:30
So, Vlad was right after all!
33

Hmmm..,

13/05/2008 17:22:12
paulmac, I'm not stupid enough to use my own name as my username. I noticed you couldn't guess the ending of that line...

Try this one...

celtic supporters are paranoid f
34

paulmac,

surrey 13/05/2008 18:14:09
#34

Sarcasm beyond you as well?

Craig Levein aint a Celtic fan.....please explain!
35

Hmmm..,

13/05/2008 18:31:00
your sarcasm is either so cutting edge that I never noticed or you don't known the menaing of the word...I think it's possibily the former...i'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

I think Levein is a celtic supporter. Why cry the loudest and go on and on and on about these normal incidents that other managers forget within hours.

Why? Becuase he's secretly a celtic fan making enough noise about the incident to make sure that any borderline decisions in the last 3 Rangers matches don't go their way. He's trying to pile pressure on any officals that are left with the unenvious task of reffing any of their games.

Who's paranoid now?
36

Nairn Member,

Inverness 13/05/2008 19:29:30
Mr Levein is out of order for suggesting Mr mcurry is a 'cheat'. Mr Mccurry may well have been wrong but over a season many errors are made.

gordon Smith and the SFA may well decide to make Video Evidence available at ALL Spl games. but until then they must uphold the integrity of their officials or all is lost.

DUFC may well have cause to be annoyed but equally so do many. Aberdeen had a perfectly good goal ruled out against Celtic etc etc but who makes noise. MR C Levein. Fine him big style.
37

Beady,

Edinburgh 13/05/2008 21:30:17
Craig Levein will never win honours.
His time at Leicester was a debacle!
38

Highland Hibby,

Inverness 13/05/2008 22:15:05
#37 Couldn't agree more. Unlike most posters I happen to know Mike personally. I used to allocate his games in a lower league. Right from the start of his career I reckoned he was good enough to be a top ref, and I'm delighted for him that I was right.

A question for all you self-righteous saints out there:

Do you ever make mistakes at work?
39

jaydot,

Dundee 13/05/2008 22:51:38
No.39 - you are exposing yourself with your first comment!! I assume you went to the same church.

Yes we all make mistakes....but to make such huge fundamental mistakes? You woudn't survive in industry with that kind of performance!
40

Hibernianinc,

13/05/2008 23:17:39
I think that the standard of refereeing in Scotland is shocking.

I also think that you never get a fair kick of the ball in Glasgow.

I think that the inept officials are influenced by big crowds and the fear of 'getting it wrong' against the OF.

The above is just my opinion.

However, an undisputable fact is that McCurry is a complete c0ck.
41

Kiwiarab,

Christchurch, New Zealand 14/05/2008 11:45:26
#39

As a healthcare professional, if I made as many glaring errors of the magnitude that the Rev McCurry made in the space of 90 minutes on Saturday then i would not only be invesigated and dismissed by my employer but I would also be disciplined and in all probability struck off by my registering authority.

In all Mike McCurry made 4 significant 'errors' on Saturday all of which had a huge bearing on the final outcome of the match. Given that the said Rev McCurry has a degree of 'history' when it comes to questionable decisions that have (not)surprisingly benefited the same club, it begs that the following observations be cosidered...

1 mistake = simple human error
2 mistakes = borderline incompetence
3 mistakes = negligence bordering on the corrupt
4 mistakes = ???
42

Highland Hibby,

Inverness 14/05/2008 18:39:07
#40 Same church for a few months, but only after I already knew him. Irrelevant.

#39 I take it you make your mistakes in front of thousands of unqualified people who all think they can do your job better than you? Thought not. What makes supporters who don't even know the laws half the time think they are better than refs?

Mike is an accountant by training (same as me), Ian Brines is a cop. What are they going to gain by cheating in a public arena?

The paranoid reactions on these threads would be a joke if they weren't so serious. Some of these posts make me ashamed to be Scottish.

Rant over.
43

jaydot,

Dundee 14/05/2008 22:15:22
I'm sure rangers should have had a penelty tonight against Zenit....but then again the ref was not mccurry!

 

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