Livingston manager David Martindale has expressed sympathy for Crawford Allan over the “despicable” levels of abuse he feels the outgoing Scottish Football Association head of referees has endured.
It was announced last week that the 56-year-old would be stepping down from his role at the end of this season to “pursue new opportunities”.
Allan has borne the brunt of the criticism as Scottish football has been engulfed by a string of controversies amid the implementation of VAR over the past 18 months.
“I think Crawford’s a really good guy,” said Livi boss Martindale, when asked for his reaction to the referees chief’s impending departure.
“I think the way the game’s going, the abuse that players, officials, myself take – there’s a tipping point.
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“I think the abuse Crawford has received for doing his job is despicable, I don’t agree with it.
“Social media is taking over the world. Crawford is now in a manager’s shoes nearly (in terms of scrutiny).
“Every decision that happens on a Saturday or a midweek deflects on to Crawford and for me that’s really unfair.”
SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell alluded to “unsustainable pressure on match officials and VAR operators” and a “convenient blame culture” when Allan’s departure was announced, and Martindale believes the backlash against him amid the roll-out of VAR will have played a big part.
“Am I surprised he’s leaving the position? No,” said the Livi boss. “And I mean that in a good way.
“I think it’s an extremely difficult job to do with the scrutiny around social media on every single decision and then the pressure cooker that is Scottish football.
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“It’s become a very difficult job, and I said the same about the compliance officer role. I think you’ve got to be a wee bit sadistic to take a job like that because you’re in a no-win situation really.
“You’re never pleasing the masses, so it’s very difficult. I don’t know where it’s going to end with social media, the abuse, the scrutiny it brings on people doing their jobs – and I include Crawford in that.
“It’s gone to levels way above what it should and I’d imagine that’s played a part in Crawford’s decision.”
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