Gannon wants say on refs

Published on Monday 30 November 2009 08:54

JIM GANNON has urged the Scottish Football Association to routinely seek the views of managers on referee displays after the Motherwell manager and Dundee United counterpart Craig Levein slated Alan Muir's performance in their 2-2 draw.

United finished the exciting Clydesdale Bank Premier League contest at Fir Park with nine men after Prince Buaben and Danny Swanson were sent off.

Buaben received a second yellow card for a soft foul on Jim O'Brien after being booked for dissent when he was penalised for what looked a fair challenge.

Jon Daly levelled for the 10 men in the 83rd minute but United were grateful for Nicky Weaver's one-handed save from Keith Lasley's strike after Swanson had been shown a straight red card for a late tackle on the Motherwell midfielder. Levein argued both red cards were wrong but admitted Jennison Myrie-Williams was lucky to avoid a second booking for a foul on Steven Saunders.

Gannon was in full agreement and was even more scathing of Muir's performance, claiming it spoiled the game.

The former Stockport boss decided to go public with his criticism after accusing SFA head of referees development Hugh Dallas of failing to respond to two letters he had written in relation to refereeing performances.

The SFA later disputed that assertion but Gannon wants a formal review procedure.

"We had major problems in England," Gannon said. "When we started dialogue about trying to improve refereeing standards, you need to have managers' feedback.

"I'm not a party to (SFA referee observers' reports) and they don't ask me my opinion."