http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/footbal...6908-22068374/
Celtic blasted by SFA chief George Peat after leaking complaint over referees
Feb 25 2010 By Keith Jackson
FURIOUS SFA president George Peat has accused Celtic of an act of cowardice and of launching a blatant attempt to pile pressure on match officials ahead of this weekend's Old Firm crunch.
Blazing Peat let rip last night after news was leaked to the BBC of an official move by the Parkhead club to complain about a string of high-profile refereeing decisions they feel have contributed to Tony Mowbray's side trailing Rangers by seven points in the title race.
The report quoted an unnamed club source and claimed Celtic have made the move after analysing TV pictures of hotly-contested incidents in the last two Glasgow derbies.
The source also highlighted a string of offside decisions against Robbie Keane and said Scotland's linesmen are too slow to keep up with the striker.
That outraged Peat who hit out instantly with an astonishingly strongly-worded statement in which he revealed Celtic have officially registered similar concerns in closed-door discussions with the Hampden hierarchy. He suggested by going public Celtic were making a bid to put the squeeze on Sunday's ref Dougie McDonald.
Peat said: "We find it disappointing and somewhat bizarre that, in the build-up to an Old Firm derby, an unnamed Celtic 'source' would seek to exert additional pressure on match officials by issuing ill-timed and inaccurate comments.
"The validity of these comments is questionable in any case, since the 'source' is not courageous enough to put his name to them. In actual fact, discussions between the SFA and Celtic have taken place but the contents of these discussions will remain private, as was agreed with the club.
"I am sure Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell will be concerned someone has elected to speak on behalf of his club, seemingly without consent to undermine his authority."
In a further twist well-placed Hampden sources were adamant Celtic are the only SPL club who've not taken up a longstanding offer to discuss controversial decisions with refs chief Hugh Dallas.
Lawwell issued a statement of his own last night which said: "In response to Mr Peat we can confirm we entered into talks with the SFA on this matter some time ago.
"We look forward to these discussions continuing towards a positive outcome."
Celtic believe they were denied at least one penalty in the first Old Firm derby of the season at Ibrox in October - a match which Rangers won 2-1 - and also insist they were denied a legitimate goal during the 1-1 draw New Year's Parkhead fixture.
Scotland's original report quoted the unnamed source as saying: "We are considering contacting the SFA to highlight our concerns at some of the major decisions we feel have gone against us this season.
"The refereeing performances are a concern. It seems officials are struggling to keep up with Keane's pace. Several key offside decisions have gone against him purely because of his speed."
Rangers chose not to wade into the row although it is believed Walter Smith is simmering over Celtic's stance.
Feb 25 2010 By Keith Jackson
FURIOUS SFA president George Peat has accused Celtic of an act of cowardice and of launching a blatant attempt to pile pressure on match officials ahead of this weekend's Old Firm crunch.
Blazing Peat let rip last night after news was leaked to the BBC of an official move by the Parkhead club to complain about a string of high-profile refereeing decisions they feel have contributed to Tony Mowbray's side trailing Rangers by seven points in the title race.
The report quoted an unnamed club source and claimed Celtic have made the move after analysing TV pictures of hotly-contested incidents in the last two Glasgow derbies.
The source also highlighted a string of offside decisions against Robbie Keane and said Scotland's linesmen are too slow to keep up with the striker.
That outraged Peat who hit out instantly with an astonishingly strongly-worded statement in which he revealed Celtic have officially registered similar concerns in closed-door discussions with the Hampden hierarchy. He suggested by going public Celtic were making a bid to put the squeeze on Sunday's ref Dougie McDonald.
Peat said: "We find it disappointing and somewhat bizarre that, in the build-up to an Old Firm derby, an unnamed Celtic 'source' would seek to exert additional pressure on match officials by issuing ill-timed and inaccurate comments.
"The validity of these comments is questionable in any case, since the 'source' is not courageous enough to put his name to them. In actual fact, discussions between the SFA and Celtic have taken place but the contents of these discussions will remain private, as was agreed with the club.
"I am sure Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell will be concerned someone has elected to speak on behalf of his club, seemingly without consent to undermine his authority."
In a further twist well-placed Hampden sources were adamant Celtic are the only SPL club who've not taken up a longstanding offer to discuss controversial decisions with refs chief Hugh Dallas.
Lawwell issued a statement of his own last night which said: "In response to Mr Peat we can confirm we entered into talks with the SFA on this matter some time ago.
"We look forward to these discussions continuing towards a positive outcome."
Celtic believe they were denied at least one penalty in the first Old Firm derby of the season at Ibrox in October - a match which Rangers won 2-1 - and also insist they were denied a legitimate goal during the 1-1 draw New Year's Parkhead fixture.
Scotland's original report quoted the unnamed source as saying: "We are considering contacting the SFA to highlight our concerns at some of the major decisions we feel have gone against us this season.
"The refereeing performances are a concern. It seems officials are struggling to keep up with Keane's pace. Several key offside decisions have gone against him purely because of his speed."
Rangers chose not to wade into the row although it is believed Walter Smith is simmering over Celtic's stance.
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