GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — The referee called for police surveillance after the match to ensure safety. controversial phone call It had an impact on the Scottish football title race.
The Scottish Football Association said on Friday that the police intervention was an “inevitable result of growing criticism, intolerance and scapegoating” of referees.
Beaton’s decision to award a handball penalty in Celtic’s favor against Motherwell on Wednesday gave Celtic a last-minute win and reduced the gap to Premiership leaders Hearts to one point.
“John Beaton and his family spent last night at home under police surveillance after their personal information was leaked online,” the SFA said in a statement.
“Scottish Football Association condemns in the strongest possible terms any attempt to jeopardize the safety of match officials. Such alarmism, motivated by decisions that appear to be right or wrong on the field, is a disaster for our national game and we are grateful to Police Scotland for their swift intervention.”
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