Last weekend’s Parkhead man-in-the-middle, Don Robertson was ridiculed by Neil Lennon and fans alike for the number of poor decisions he made during Hibernian’s 4-2 defeat at the hands of Celtic. But, if you think he was bad wait until you see who the Scottish FA has appointed for Halloween’s derby clash at Tynecastle.
Match officials
Referee – Andrew Dallas
Assistants – David McGeachie and Frank Connor
Fourth official – Steven McLean
Before we get into the nitty-gritty – Andrew Dallas has so far this season taken charge of six domestic fixtures and one Europa League tie and in doing so brandished 37 yellow and two red cards.
On a positive note
The 35-year-old son of retired referee Hugh Dallas (Hugh hung up his cards and whistle for good at the end of the 2004/05 season) has been on the circuit since the 2012/13 season.
Games involving Hibernian – 2018/19
Saturday 22 September
Dundee 0-3 Hibs
On that day the home side received two cautions while Hibs Lewis Stevenson saw yellow.
Saturday 25 August
Hibs 1-1 Aberdeen
Dallas had his card out of his pocket nine times – Dons x4 – Hibs x5.
Criticism
His last game was between Hamilton and Rangers when all hell broke loose after Dallas awarded Rangers two late penalties. In the end, Steven Gerrard’s men won 4-1, but the fallout and bitterness continued for days after the final whistle.
One fan said: “Dallas has awarded two of the softest penalties that I have ever seen in all my years of watching football.”
Another added: “I still can’t get my head around the penalty awards. Hamilton were totally mugged by Dallas.
“Dallas should be downgraded for a start as he is a terrible official.”
Another disgruntled fan said: “I don’t know what game Dallas is watching. The first award is not even a clear handball against Alex Penny.
“The second penalty decision is just a tangle of legs and not a blatant trip.
“If that incident occurred anywhere else on the pitch the referee would have waved play on.”
Who remembers the 5-5 home draw last May vs. Rangers?
Eight cards, including a sending off, certainly ruffled a few feathers.
Has Andrew Dallas resigned yet?
Even the Hibs fan (top right) looks appalled & fears the worse.
No excuse for Dallas as he’s literally stood three yards away.
Dallas was fast tracked through. He needs to go back to referee school. pic.twitter.com/8vlLvo6nCT
— Ewen Cameron (@EwenDCameron) May 14, 2018
Shall we end on a positive note?
Poor old Andrew!
Is it time for the officials who represent their profession at the highest level abandon their day jobs and replace them with full-time SFA contracts?
