Graham Spiers has been batting against a tide of criticism after belatedly highlighting Richard Gordon’s Press & Journal column that highlighted a 68 match run without a penalty being awarded against the Ibrox Tribute Act.
That run has since risen to 70, over the same time period in 19 UEFA matches four penalties have been awarded against the company.
Rather than deal with the issue Spiers decided to highlight the fact that it had been written by a BBC Scotland presenter.
That brought accusations of deflection, it is a valid issue but very much secondary to the chronic fear of Scottish referees and VAR officials over applying the Laws of the Game in matches involving the cash strapped Tribute Act.
More than a few people misinterpreting this tweet. My point is, can you imagine @kennymacsport coming out and stating there is a “clear” refereeing bias towards Celtic?
As a BBC Sportsound presenter his objectivity would be skewered.
He’d be taken off air. https://t.co/YEDika9Udl— Graham Spiers (@GrahamSpiers) December 8, 2023
Over a period of almost 23 months there has been many valid penalty claims made, in turn Alan Muir, John Beaton, Don Robertson, Nick Walsh and Willie Collum have looked the other way with Andrew Dallas on back-up in case any of the referees decide to award a penalty.
Every club in the SPFL has suffered, at the same time it seems that shirt pulling is viewed in two very different ways depending on what colour of shirt is being worn.
Losing the argument Spiers grabbed at the suggestion that Kenny Macintyre would never suggest a bias in favour of Celtic. Absolutely desperate stuff.
Firstly Macintyre would never be offered a column in any commercial operation, his entire career has been spent inside BBC Scotland following in the footsteps of his Daddy.
If there were any statistics out there to show bias against Celtic True Blue Kenny would be all over it with the enthusiasm that he interviewed Neil Lennon during the lockdown season. Living the dream of every Billy Boy and sharing his glee on the Group Chats with Alasdair Lamont, Jane Lewis, Neil McCann, Steven Thompson and Kenny Miller.
Unfortunately there are no such stats other than Celtic winning 17 of the last 21 domestic trophies for being the best team in the country by some distance.
During that run the Ibrox Tribute Act has lost cup ties to St Mirren, St Johnstone, Hearts and Aberdeen as well as to the club that has been SPFL champions in 11 of the last 12 years.
I’m a full-on dad, semi-retired old lag now. And no, no heads will roll. It all just intrigues me.
— Graham Spiers (@GrahamSpiers) December 8, 2023
You’re at it, Graham. When has Kenny been objective when it comes to Rangers? To be fair, he doesn’t try and hide the fact that it’s all about the Rangers, for him.
— JimmynotPaul (@JimmynotP) December 8, 2023
I think even Kenny would join me in laughing at the words “BBC Sportsound presenter” and “objectivity” appearing in the same sentence #HelloHello
— Slimshady (@Slimshady1961) December 8, 2023
No I can’t, because a ‘“clear” refereeing bias towards Celtic?’ has never ever occurred.
Get back to me when it happens.— Joe (@JGS1888) December 8, 2023
So Richard can’t speak the truth then, because of his position is he gagged? They already got rid of @JimSpenceDundee for saying what everybody else was saying, disgraceful behaviour
— williams deadly oar (@OarDeadly) December 8, 2023
If Celtic had a similar record would that not be equally remarkable and worthy of comment. That someone could be taken off air for pointing out the discrepancy and suggesting there is not an innocent explanation for it, says much about the BBC and the Scottish media in general. pic.twitter.com/IikAgapT1f
— pat don (@patdon801) December 8, 2023
Refereeing in Scotland is a sham, thought someone like you would have called this out years ago. Andrew Dallas is a perfect example. Fast tracked bcos of his Dad, poor referee and is now one of our FT VAR officials. He also happens to be a Rangers fan? As is Greg Aitken
— CFC (@MarkFeely6) December 8, 2023
