Mixu gives backing to referees

26 October 2010 18:02
Kilmarnock boss Mixu Paatelainen has called for match officials to be given "breathing space" after a recent backlash over penalty decisions.[LNB] Assistant referee Steven Craven quit the professional game after he and his children were reportedly subjected to verbal abuse over his involvement in the decision to rescind a penalty award for Celtic during their 2-1 victory over Dundee United.[LNB]And Willie Collum received threats over the phone after giving Rangers a dubious penalty during their 3-1 Old Firm win at Celtic Park on Saturday.[LNB]Both decisions were criticised by Celtic manager Neil Lennon and his club have written to the Scottish Football Association seeking clarification over the rulings.[LNB]Paatelainen played down two major spot-kick rulings after his side's 2-1 defeat by Inverness at the weekend, both of which went against his team.[LNB]And he believes piling the pressure on referees is self-defeating.[LNB]"I think referees should be given the breathing space," the former Hibernian manager said.[LNB]"If there is too much pressure on referees before matches or after matches, they will not approach matches in a relaxed mood, a mood that enables them to perform to the best of their ability.[LNB]"If it goes to the ridiculous stuff in the papers today, that's bang out of order, that shouldn't happen."[LNB]Paatelainen added: "Of course they feel pressure, because their decisions quite often decide matches.[LNB]"So it is a very important job and it's very important that all officials are relaxed."[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk