Darren Barr calls for common sense from referees

By MOIRA GORDON
Published on 11/02/2013 03:42

HEARTS defender Darren Barr believes that common sense has fallen foul of the rulebook and says that players and referees are being left in an impossible position when it comes to challenges.

The Tynecastle club were reduced to ten men at Tannadice on Saturday when Willie Collum sent off Ryan Stevenson for a tackle. The player was going to ground as he stretched out his leg and his manager John McGlynn insisted it would have been impossible for him to stop his studs showing. The club are considering whether to appeal the sending off but defender Barr says that, in general, more common sense has to be applied in those situations.

“I think it is hard for referees as boys are fully committed when they go into challenges. It looked a bit harsh on Ryan Stevenson but officials are also going to get bashed from the SFA if they don’t seem to be doing anything about it. It is a difficult one for referees and hard to call.”

Collum was the official in the New Year derby and failed to punish Stevenson for a challenge on Hibs’ James McPake. But, following an intervention by the SFA compliance officer, the Hearts player was handed a retrospective two-match ban.

While no-one at Hearts would be publicly drawn on the issue, privately they believe it may have had a bearing on the referee’s decision on Saturday.

“It looks like referees are on a sticky wicket and under pressure from the people above them but common sense has to prevail in certain cases,” says Barr. “Maybe referees need to take a step back and see how the incident pans out and see how the player is.

“Players want to win the ball, Ryan has done that and there is no malice or intent to hurt his opponent.”