Mixu gives backing to referees

Kilmarnock boss Mixu Paatelainen has called for match officials to be given "breathing space" after a recent backlash over penalty decisions. 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.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.Both decisions were criticised by Celtic manager Neil Lennon and his club have written to the Scottish Football Association seeking clarification over the rulings.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.And he believes piling the pressure on referees is self-defeating."I think referees should be given the breathing space," the former Hibernian manager said."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."If it goes to the ridiculous stuff in the papers today, that's bang out of order, that shouldn't happen."Paatelainen added: "Of course they feel pressure, because their decisions quite often decide matches."So it is a very important job and it's very important that all officials are relaxed."

Source: Team_Talk