Hugh Dallas condemns Neil Lennon’s Scottish Cup semi-final behaviour

Published on Monday 16 April 2012 12:38

FORMER referee Hugh Dallas has criticised Celtic manager Neil Lennon’s conduct towards match officials in the aftermath of his team’s 2-1 William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Hearts at Hampden yesterday.

Lennon marched onto the pitch to confront referee Euan Norris about the award of a late Hearts penalty for handball, which substitute Craig Beattie converted to take the Edinburgh side into next month’s final against rivals Hibernian.

Dallas, formerly head of referee development at the Scottish Football Association before leaving his position following controversy over what was considered an offensive e-mail, reckons Lennon’s behaviour did little for the reputation of the game in Scotland.

“I can’t remember in 25 years of refereeing seeing a manager run that far onto a pitch to bully a referee,” Dallas told STV.

“These pictures are going around the world and it is not good.”

Dallas believes Lennon would do well to take note of Tottenham counterpart Harry Redknapp’s reaction to the controversial goal awarded to Chelsea yesterday in their 5-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat at Wembley.

“Take another example yesterday in the Tottenham Hotspur game,” Dallas added. “It was a huge occasion and a goal was given where the ball didn’t cross the line.

“After the game, Harry Redknapp said he had a chat with the referee, who admitted he made an honest mistake.

“Redknapp said he was disappointed but was keen to move on. That’s how we should do it in Scotland.”

Taken from the Scotsman