REASON WHY SPFL ANNOUNCED THE BANNED OF STEVEN MCLEAN FROM OFFICIATING OLD FIRM DERBY HAVE EMERGES,IT SHOCKED EVERYONE

In what has to be one of the most jaw-dropping moves in Scottish football history, the SPFL has swept aside tradition, form and expectations by banning one of its most experienced officials — Steven McLean — from taking charge of the titanic Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers tomorrow. Fans, pundits, players and even fellow referees are stunned. And the reasons behind this seismic decision? Well… they explode every myth you thought you knew about refereeing in Scotland.

This isn’t just another “referee pulled off duty” story. This is politics, pressure, integrity and controversy all colliding in a single announcement. Buckle up.

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THE BAN THAT BLEW UP SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

According to the official match appointment announcements, Steven McLean — a referee with over two decades of experience — was initially named as the official for the Old Firm fixture. But within hours of that being publicly revealed, the SPFL pulled the plug and WITHDREW his appointment. Yes — before a ball has even been kicked. 

That in itself was shocking. But why? That’s where things turn explosive.

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SPFL FEARED UNPRECEDENTED BACKLASH AFTER RECENT CONTROVERSIAL OLD FIRM DECISIONS

Scottish football insiders reveal that Steven McLean has been under intense scrutiny from both sides of the Old Firm rivalry due to a series of recent controversial VAR and refereeing decisions linked directly to matches in which he played a key role as referee or VAR official.

In the current season alone, McLean has been involved in VAR incidents where the outcomes swung the momentum of high-profile games:

• A blatant goal ruled out in a Rangers match against Celtic, sparking outrage from supporters and pundits alike.
• Contentious penalty decisions (or lack thereof) involving Rangers that even pundits said might have been wrongly adjudicated.
• Panels reviewing his calls debated whether the correct call was ever made.  

This mounting criticism, particularly from Rangers camp insiders — who had publicly questioned VAR calls and McLean’s role — apparently hit SPFL decision-makers like a shockwave. One club source said: “Just imagine the fallout if McLean was put in the middle tomorrow and makes a game-deciding call. We’d see chaos.”

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FEAR OF RIOTS, ABUSE AND SAFETY CONCERNS

But there’s a darker, almost unbelievable reason at the heart of this ban.

In the wake of recent high-stakes Old Firm clashes, referees and match officials have faced unprecedented levels of abuse, threats, intimidation, and even possible safety risks. The Scottish FA and SPFL have reportedly been involved in behind-the-scenes crisis talks about mentor safety.

Why is this relevant?

Because the governing body is acutely aware that a high-pressure referee like McLean — who is well known among fans — could become the target of fan ire that spirals out of control. And that could lead to trouble both inside and outside the stadium — from pitch invasions to social-media death threats.

Scottish referees have already been on the receiving end of deeply disturbing threats following controversial decisions in Old Firm games, prompting Police Scotland involvement in some cases. 

One senior match official told us on condition of anonymity:

“This isn’t just about one appointment anymore. It’s about perceived bias, online trolls, toxic fanaticism… and we’re simply not willing to have our people put in the centre of that without extreme protection.”

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IS THIS AN ADMISSION THAT REFEREES CAN’T DEAL WITH OLD FIRM INTENSITY ANYMORE?

Make no mistake — the Old Firm derby is not just a football match. It is a cultural event, charged with history, religion, social identity and decades of tension. 

Celtic and Rangers aren’t merely clubs — they are emotional identities for tens of thousands of fans. Nothing — absolutely nothing — happens in these games without being pored over, criticized, dissected and weaponized on social media.

And referees are not exempt from that firestorm.

Some pundits have even suggested the SPFL’s decision represents a terrifying admission:

The league does not trust its referees to withstand the pressure of the Old Firm without facing serious consequences.

Here’s why that narrative is catching fire:

✔ There have been public calls by clubs for explanations and apologies over McLean’s recent VAR decisions. 

✔ McLean was involved in decisions that analysts publicly questioned for clarity and correctness.

✔ Fan groups have relentlessly attacked his reputation online.

Add it all together, and you have a recipe for an explosive match day. Many believe the SPFL would rather avoid that entirely — even if it means sidelining one of Scotland’s most experienced officials.

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CONSPIRACY THEORIES NOW RUNNING WILD

As expected, the internet has already lit up with theories that range from the absurd to the sensational:

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1. “It’s a COVER-UP!”

Some sections of fans believe the SPFL bowed to pressure from powerful clubs, effectively shielding one side from decisions they fear McLean would make.

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2. “Bias Allegations Run Deep!”

Across social media, many supporters are convinced that McLean has a subconscious preference toward one club — whether or not there’s any real evidence.

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3. “The SPFL Fears a National Security Incident!”

A minority of fans even claim the league took this step because they genuinely fear violence should McLean make one controversial call during the derby.

Whether any of these theories are true is completely beside the point — they reflect the total breakdown in trust around refereeing decisions in Scottish football.

This is not normal fan chatter — this is armed tribalism at its fiercest.

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WHAT FANS ARE SAYING RIGHT NOW…

Across fan forums, Reddit threads, and Twitter feeds, reactions are wild:

🔥 “SPFL are scared! They know McLean would get crucified.”

🔥 “We’ve lost confidence in our refs — we need foreign officials for Old Firm.”

🔥 “This is bigger than just one referee — this is an identity war.”

Even among neutrals, the sentiment is that something is deeply wrong with how officiating is handled — and this ban has only supercharged that feeling.

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WHAT THIS COULD MEAN GOING FORWARD

This decision — whether supporters like it or hate it — might be a turning point:

👉 Does this set a precedent?

Will referees now be judged *not on their merit, but on how much conflict they are expected to cause?

👉 Does this normalise shielding officials from pressure?

If so, is that good for football integrity — or a slippery slope?

👉 Will the SPFL now change how referee appointments are made?

These questions don’t just matter this week — they could reshape Scottish football for years to come.

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THE ULTIMATE IRONY?

Steven McLean was once trusted with high-profile matches — including Old Firm games — with zero controversy. 

That’s what makes this ban so surreal.

A man once seen as capable of fairly adjudicating Scotland’s most intense rivalry is now deemed too controversial to officiate it.

For many fans, that’s a bitter pill to swallow. For others, it’s a necessary move in an era where referee abuse online and offline is at a terrifying high.

One thing is certain:

Tomorrow’s Old Firm won’t just be about Celtic vs Rangers —

it will be about how Scottish football got here.