Celtic say they will "respond robustly" if Boyd is charged
Monday 19 August 2019 20:03, UK
Former Celtic captain Tom Boyd may face a Scottish FA disciplinary charge following comments he made about referee John Beaton during Saturday’s League Cup tie between Celtic and Dunfermline, Sky Sports News understands.
Boyd, who is now a Celtic club ambassador, was commentating on Celtic TV when he criticised Beaton for not giving a penalty to Neil Lennon's side.
Rule 38, Article 29.2 of the Scottish FA's lawbook prohibits criticism of match officials or indicating notions of bias or incompetence from club media.
"And once again, Celtic denied by decisions by the referee, and the referee has bottled that," Boyd said in commentary. "That's an absolutely scandalous decision by John Beaton. We've seen that before on many occasions. It's unquestionably a penalty… It's clear it's a penalty kick.
"In the light of day, he's putting his hand towards the ball, heading towards goal. What does John Beaton not know about the new rules? If he doesn't know that's a penalty he should not be in the middle of the park refereeing a football game. He'll probably be welcome down his pub tonight again.
"Old law, new law. No matter what kind of law it is, that is a penalty in anybody's book. How John Beaton hasn't given that, we've seen it before from referees like this, John Beaton not giving us a penalty kick."
He continued: "Absolutely stunning decision from Mr Beaton as he stands in the middle of the park alone. And I wonder what his thoughts are. I'm not mystified. John Beaton, it's obviously a pre-meditated decision not to give that penalty because it was so late in the game. An absolutely outrageous decision.
"We've not played well today. But a decision once again from a referee may cost us in this game. Hopefully we will go on and beat, not the 10 men or the 11 men of Dunfermline, but the 12 men with that decision from John Beaton."
Celtic said in a statement: "We have had absolutely no contact from the SFA in relation to this matter and, given the context and circumstances in which the comments were made, would be astonished if the matter were to be progressed. If it is, then we will respond robustly."
Beaton and his family were targeted with threats last season, and received extra security from Police Scotland, after the referee took charge of December's Old Firm game, which Rangers won 1-0.
At the time, Celtic wrote to the SFA asking for explanations to his decision-making after his performance at Ibrox, where Alfredo Morelos escaped punishment after being involved in three separate incidents with Celtic players.
