Craig Levein claims the Scottish Football Association should consider introducing professional referees to ensure match officials are held accountable for costly mistakes.
Craig Levein claims the Scottish Football Association should consider introducing professional referees to ensure match officials are held accountable for costly mistakes.
Levein, who was unimpressed by SFA chief executive Gordon Smith's criticism of his comments about Mike McCurry following his side's match at Rangers on Saturday, said the system of refereeing in Scotland is "archaic".
The United boss was incensed by errors at Ibrox, since acknowledged by referee McCurry, which saw the visitors denied a penalty and a goal in their 3-1 defeat. He believes referees under the current system are often afraid to make a decision which might make them unpopular.
Smith had said the nature of the criticism of McCurry was "extremely unfair and does nothing to encourage more people to take up refereeing".
Levein said: "Mr McCurry has now admitted he got two major decisions wrong; decisions that arguably lost us points and possibly several hundred thousand pounds. We feel he got considerably more wrong.
"And yet, the SFA have chosen to criticise only me for voicing criticism of the referee's decisions and made it clear they will not accept such criticism. It is perhaps time to look at fresh initiatives to overcome any perceived bias or external influence behind decision-making.
"The SFA response seems to suggest that these mistakes will continue to happen and that criticism of referees cannot be tolerated as it discourages people from becoming referees.
"Maybe therefore we should look at a fundamental change in the way referees are recruited. Perhaps we should now pay referees what they are worth to the game and make it a career rather than a part-time hobby."
McCurry, a Baptist minister, describes refereeing as "a hobby" and admits he would not be interested in turning professional in his profile on the Scottish FA website.
But Levein sees scope for hiring full-time officials to look after games, and train to improve their matchday performances.
"I would stress that this is not an attack on one referee. What I and many other people are unhappy about is an archaic system whereby there is no accountability for referees who make mistakes that, in our case, potentially cost us hundreds of thousands of pounds," said Levein referring to his Dundee United's chances of gaining qualification for next season's UEFA Cup.
"The financial pressures surrounding the modern game are such that it is no longer possible to rely solely on a system that depends entirely on individual interpretation, particularly when this can be subject to huge external influences both on the day and in subsequent media pressure.
"Human nature means that if there is a close call, the chances are it will be in favour of that which is likely to result in less fallout."
Levein is also a supporter of using video replays during games, which could have helped at Ibrox, where the Dundee United manager felt there should have been two red cards.
United will go to the SFA with their latest observations, and the club said in a statement "this matter is too important to remain unresolved".
Levein explained: "We should also be looking seriously at technology to assist the officials and to again overcome any suggestion of bias, influence or incompetence in situations where close decisions have to be made.
"What I am looking for is fairness in the way games are officiated and decisions made.
"I am also seeking constructive solutions and dialogue and this can only be achieved if questions can be raised and answered in an open manner, without the constant fear of draconian reprisals."
