*Steven McLean Banned from Officiating Four Scottish Clubs as SFL Makes Major Call
In a dramatic decision that has sent shockwaves through Scottish football, the Scottish Football League (SFL) has officially banned referee **Steven McLean** from officiating matches involving four top clubs. The ruling comes after widespread criticism of his officiating performances, particularly in Celtic’s controversial defeat to Hibernian.
The Decision: SFL Takes Action
Following an extensive review of McLean’s recent performances, the SFL has determined that he will no longer be assigned to matches involving **Celtic, Rangers, Hibernian, and Hearts**. The governing body cited concerns over officiating consistency, fairness, and growing tensions between McLean and several clubs as key reasons for the decision.
A statement from the SFL read:
*“After a thorough assessment of recent officiating performances and the concerns raised by multiple clubs, the Scottish Football League has decided that Steven McLean will no longer officiate matches involving Celtic, Rangers, Hibernian, and Hearts. This decision has been made in the interest of maintaining fairness, integrity, and the highest officiating standards in Scottish football.”*
While the SFL has not explicitly detailed the incidents that led to this action, sources suggest that McLean’s handling of high-profile matches, particularly his role in the Celtic-Hibernian clash, played a significant part in the decision.
### **The Controversy That Led to the Ban**
McLean has been under fire for several controversial decisions in recent seasons, with his officiating in the **Hibernian vs. Celtic match** being the final straw. In that game, McLean was at the center of multiple contentious calls:
– Allowing **Josh Campbell’s second goal**, despite strong offside claims from Celtic.
– Disallowing a **late Celtic equalizer**, sparking outrage among fans and club officials.
– Dismissing Celtic’s penalty appeals despite VAR reviews.
Celtic fans, players, and even manager Brendan Rodgers publicly questioned the standard of officiating, with many calling for McLean to be held accountable. The controversy extended beyond just Celtic, as Rangers, Hibernian, and Hearts had also previously raised concerns over McLean’s refereeing.
### **Fan Reactions: A Divisive Ruling**
The decision to ban McLean from officiating matches involving four major clubs has divided opinion across Scottish football.
**Celtic and Rangers fans** have largely welcomed the ruling, with many believing it is a necessary step to ensure fairer refereeing in the league. One fan posted on social media: *“It’s about time! We’ve had too many crucial decisions go against us because of McLean. This is a win for fairness.”*
However, others feel the ruling sets a dangerous precedent, as banning a referee from certain clubs could be seen as an admission of officiating bias. Some pundits have questioned whether this move will lead to further bans on other referees in the future.
### **What’s Next for McLean?**
Despite the ban, McLean will still be allowed to officiate matches involving other Scottish clubs, though the ruling has undoubtedly damaged his reputation. There are reports that he may consider stepping down from officiating in the Premiership altogether or taking up a different role within the Scottish FA’s referee department.
Meanwhile, the SFL is expected to introduce **new referee training and assessment measures** to prevent similar controversies in the future. Calls for improved VAR implementation and greater transparency in referee decisions continue to grow among clubs and fans alike.
### **A Turning Point for Scottish Football?**
The banning of a referee from officiating matches involving specific clubs is an unprecedented move in Scottish football and could mark a turning point in how officiating standards are managed. Whether this decision will lead to lasting improvements in refereeing or further controversy remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the scrutiny on Scottish referees has never been higher.
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