Richmond

By Graham Barnstaple
April 18 2012

The SFA today have announced referees will no longer be made to retire at 47, is this positive step or a sign of panic.

On the SFA website they say, “The Scottish FA Board has agreed to remove the mandatory retirement age for match officials in time for the start of season 2012-13.

“Currently, officials are unable to referee beyond the age of 47 but the restriction has been removed, with criteria now based on fitness and performance, irrespective of age.

“This outcome follows a period of review undertaken by the Referee Committee, which included a presentation to the Professional and Non Professional Game Boards, and a recommendation submitted and passed by the main Board.”

There is a positive spin in the rest of the piece on the website, stating they believe they feel they can best use the competent resources on hand. This may be true given people like Hugh Dallas ad Willie Young (who looks better every year since his retirement!) retired when they were still relatively fit.

Or you could say there is a feeling of panic following the couple of resignations we have had recently, with Steve Conroy and Charlie Richmond leaving after issues with the governing body. We have also lost Brian Winter through injury in recent weeks.

Does this move tell us there is little faith in what is coming through, and they are desperate to hold on to what they have.

I guess there is another side to this coin, at least this move could give the likes of Alan Muir, Crawford Allan etc the chance to come through and learn their trade.

Only time will tell if this is a good move or not….