{"id":40726,"date":"2026-01-02T09:24:41","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T09:24:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/?p=40726"},"modified":"2026-01-02T09:24:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T09:24:41","slug":"reason-why-spfl-announced-the-banned-of-steven-mclean-from-officiating-old-firm-derby-have-emergesit-shocked-everyone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/?p=40726","title":{"rendered":"REASON WHY SPFL ANNOUNCED THE BANNED OF STEVEN MCLEAN FROM OFFICIATING OLD FIRM DERBY HAVE EMERGES,IT SHOCKED EVERYONE"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>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 \u2014 Steven McLean \u2014 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\u2026 they explode every myth you thought you knew about refereeing in Scotland.<\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t just another \u201creferee pulled off duty\u201d story. This is politics, pressure, integrity and controversy all colliding in a single announcement. Buckle up.<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f525;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>THE BAN THAT BLEW UP SCOTTISH FOOTBALL<\/p>\n<p>According to the official match appointment announcements, Steven McLean \u2014 a referee with over two decades of experience \u2014 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 \u2014 before a ball has even been kicked.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>That in itself was shocking. But why? That\u2019s where things turn explosive.<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f631;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>SPFL FEARED UNPRECEDENTED BACKLASH AFTER RECENT CONTROVERSIAL OLD FIRM DECISIONS<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>In the current season alone, McLean has been involved in VAR incidents where the outcomes swung the momentum of high-profile games:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A blatant goal ruled out in a Rangers match against Celtic, sparking outrage from supporters and pundits alike.<\/li>\n<li>Contentious penalty decisions (or lack thereof) involving Rangers that even pundits said might have been wrongly adjudicated.<\/li>\n<li>Panels reviewing his calls debated whether the correct call was ever made. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This mounting criticism, particularly from Rangers camp insiders \u2014 who had publicly questioned VAR calls and McLean\u2019s role \u2014 apparently hit SPFL decision-makers like a shockwave. One club source said: \u201cJust imagine the fallout if McLean was put in the middle tomorrow and makes a game-deciding call. We\u2019d see chaos.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#x26a0;&#xfe0f;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>FEAR OF RIOTS, ABUSE AND SAFETY CONCERNS<\/p>\n<p>But there\u2019s a darker, almost unbelievable reason at the heart of this ban.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Why is this relevant?<\/p>\n<p>Because the governing body is acutely aware that a high-pressure referee like McLean \u2014 who is well known among fans \u2014 could become the target of fan ire that spirals out of control. And that could lead to trouble both inside and outside the stadium \u2014 from pitch invasions to social-media death threats.<\/p>\n<p>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.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>One senior match official told us on condition of anonymity:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis isn\u2019t just about one appointment anymore. It\u2019s about perceived bias, online trolls, toxic fanaticism\u2026 and we\u2019re simply not willing to have our people put in the centre of that without extreme protection.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f4c9;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>IS THIS AN ADMISSION THAT REFEREES CAN\u2019T DEAL WITH OLD FIRM INTENSITY ANYMORE?<\/p>\n<p>Make no mistake \u2014 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.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Celtic and Rangers aren\u2019t merely clubs \u2014 they are emotional identities for tens of thousands of fans. Nothing \u2014 absolutely nothing \u2014 happens in these games without being pored over, criticized, dissected and weaponized on social media.<\/p>\n<p>And referees are not exempt from that firestorm.<\/p>\n<p>Some pundits have even suggested the SPFL\u2019s decision represents a terrifying admission:<\/p>\n<p>The league does not trust its referees to withstand the pressure of the Old Firm without facing serious consequences.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s why that narrative is catching fire:<\/p>\n<p>&#x2714; There have been public calls by clubs for explanations and apologies over McLean\u2019s recent VAR decisions.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#x2714; McLean was involved in decisions that analysts publicly questioned for clarity and correctness.<\/p>\n<p>&#x2714; Fan groups have relentlessly attacked his reputation online.<\/p>\n<p>Add it all together, and you have a recipe for an explosive match day. Many believe the SPFL would rather avoid that entirely \u2014 even if it means sidelining one of Scotland\u2019s most experienced officials.<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f9e8;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>CONSPIRACY THEORIES NOW RUNNING WILD<\/p>\n<p>As expected, the internet has already lit up with theories that range from the absurd to the sensational:<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f6a9;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>1. \u201cIt\u2019s a COVER-UP!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Some sections of fans believe the SPFL bowed to pressure from powerful clubs, effectively shielding one side from decisions they fear McLean would make.<\/p>\n<p>&#x2696;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>2. \u201cBias Allegations Run Deep!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Across social media, many supporters are convinced that McLean has a subconscious preference toward one club \u2014 whether or not there\u2019s any real evidence.<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f92f;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>3. \u201cThe SPFL Fears a National Security Incident!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Whether any of these theories are true is completely beside the point \u2014 they reflect the total breakdown in trust around refereeing decisions in Scottish football.<\/p>\n<p>This is not normal fan chatter \u2014 this is armed tribalism at its fiercest.<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f399;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>WHAT FANS ARE SAYING RIGHT NOW\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Across fan forums, Reddit threads, and Twitter feeds, reactions are wild:<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f525; \u201cSPFL are scared! They know McLean would get crucified.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f525; \u201cWe\u2019ve lost confidence in our refs \u2014 we need foreign officials for Old Firm.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f525; \u201cThis is bigger than just one referee \u2014 this is an identity war.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Even among neutrals, the sentiment is that something is deeply wrong with how officiating is handled \u2014 and this ban has only supercharged that feeling.<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f4ca;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>WHAT THIS COULD MEAN GOING FORWARD<\/p>\n<p>This decision \u2014 whether supporters like it or hate it \u2014 might be a turning point:<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f449; Does this set a precedent?<\/p>\n<p>Will referees now be judged *not on their merit, but on how much conflict they are expected to cause?<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f449; Does this normalise shielding officials from pressure?<\/p>\n<p>If so, is that good for football integrity \u2014 or a slippery slope?<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f449; Will the SPFL now change how referee appointments are made?<\/p>\n<p>These questions don\u2019t just matter this week \u2014 they could reshape Scottish football for years to come.<\/p>\n<p>&#x1f3df;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>THE ULTIMATE IRONY?<\/p>\n<p>Steven McLean was once trusted with high-profile matches \u2014 including Old Firm games \u2014 with zero controversy.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s what makes this ban so surreal.<\/p>\n<p>A man once seen as capable of fairly adjudicating Scotland\u2019s most intense rivalry is now deemed too controversial to officiate it.<\/p>\n<p>For many fans, that\u2019s a bitter pill to swallow. For others, it\u2019s a necessary move in an era where referee abuse online and offline is at a terrifying high.<\/p>\n<p>One thing is certain:<\/p>\n<p>Tomorrow\u2019s Old Firm won\u2019t just be about Celtic vs Rangers \u2014<\/p>\n<p>it will be about how Scottish football got here.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; 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 \u2014 Steven McLean \u2014 from taking charge of the titanic Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers tomorrow. Fans, pundits, players [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40727,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40726","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celtic","category-rangers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40726","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=40726"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40726\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=40726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=40726"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=40726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}