This has been a strange week at the SFA.
It started with controversy over two key penalty decisions at Tynecastle and Celtic Park that weren’t given, sparking anger and frustration. Many of us had hoped that we were seeing the beginning of a new era of openness and accountability, as promised by Willie Collum.
It ends with the appointment of a new head of VAR, brought in from England, where the standards are widely acknowledged to be much higher than what we’ve been tolerating here at home. For those of us who support SFA reform, there are reasons to be cautiously optimistic about this announcement. The individual is talented, knowledgeable about the game, and has a reputation for integrity.
However, we’ve had false dawns before.
The last two men we brought up from England were huge disappointments.
Neil Doncaster remains Scottish football’s longest-running, unfunny joke, and why Celtic’s board of directors continues to prop him up is almost beyond comprehension.
Then there was Stuart Regan, the epitome of weakness, who had the chance to lead a genuine Scottish football revolution but will forever be defined by two words he uttered during the Rangers administration crisis: “civil unrest.”
These two words, and the word “corrupt” uttered by the late Turnbull Hutton on the steps of Hampden, sum up the failures of both Doncaster and Regan during that scandalous series of events.
So, while there is some satisfaction at the prospect of someone from England coming in, taking a fresh look, and hopefully sweeping through the hallowed halls of VAR, we’re not getting too excited just yet.
The real problem at Hampden isn’t just the individuals, it’s the culture.
That West of Scotland culture—of old boys, old understandings—that runs deep.
And this new appointee will have to face that down from the start.
I don’t envy him the job, because that culture is deeply rooted and decades old. If he’s going to sort things out, that’s where he’ll need to begin.
But he brings fresh eyes and a fresh perspective, which can only be a good thing.
This place is in desperate need of sorting out. If he can bring professionalism to an organization that reeks of the opposite, and restore some credibility to a system that badly needs it, this will be Willie Collum’s first transformational act as head of referees.
So, Jon Moss, welcome to Scottish football. For the love of God, man, don’t get captured by the system. Come in and do your best to change it in whatever way you can.
Maybe he’ll bring some ‘karma’ chameleon to the situation at the SFA! ?
How’s it going with the bed wetting James? ; )
I assume you like me would fall into that category; well according to Paul The Pharisee Passkeeper 67 anyway.
Has he finished up with Culture Club then?
Maybe Boy George will join also, he does a neat Kevin Barry…. Put an end to the Kultchur Klub Klan….
JF writes: “The individual is talented, knowledgeable about the game, and has a reputation for integrity.”
From Wikipedia: ‘On 17 April 2016, following a 2–2 draw between Leicester City and West Ham United. Moss’ refereeing decisions during the match were heavily scrutinised, with Alan Shearer noting the “inconsistencies were mind-boggling”.
On 4 February 2018, Moss drew criticism for his refereeing decisions in a Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, which ended in a 2–2 draw. Moss was seen on camera asking fourth official Martin Atkinson if there was “anything from TV”, even though VAR was not in operation, before he decided to award Tottenham a penalty. During stoppage time, Moss consulted with assistant referee Eddie Smart to clarify if Harry Kane had been offside before awarding Tottenham another penalty.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) admitted that Moss was “misguided” to ask the fourth official for help using television when awarding Tottenham’s first penalty, but defended his decisions.’
He was one of the worst referees employed by PGMOL. When he moved into a management role with them in season 2022/23, he managed to upset the Select Group One referees within the organisation with his alleged excessive critiquing of their performances. He left in March 2024.
Now he turns up here. Looks like a perfect fit for the SFA, doesn’t he? I wonder if there are any odds available on a referee strike this season?
Fun fact: he has an interest in a record shop in Leeds called ‘The Vinyl Whistle’.
We are always at a disadvantage with the English, we never stood for the Queen and we certainly won’t be standing for her son. So don’t expect a level playing field when this cowboy rides into town. Hail Hail, I’m just putting it out there.
Why in the name of Christ is Doncaster still in that role? He’s an absolute joke. However I do applaud the English VAR chief move. Unless his name is Jeff Winter, of course.
I am hopeful of improvement but not expectant. It is absolutely the right thing to do to highlight this, James. Good call.
Jon Moss? So that’s what the Adam and the Ants/culture club drummer is up to now.. Seriously though, I think; hope; and tentatively expect this to be a brilliant appointment. Hopefully he can bring some English (or east/ north of Scotland) referees in too. Well done wullie ?
Moss will be just like the rest from England no doubt…
Jeez Doncaster is as well as being wholly incompetent one of the most dishonest men on the planet…
“Rangers are the same club – ABSOLUTELY” screamed he –
That Bankier didn’t challenge that pathological lie was the final straw for me with ma Celtic season ticket…
Moss was also a useless referee, as one game I always watch is the Championship play off final and he denied Huddersfield Town two stonewall penalties v Nottingham Forest and potentially cost them over £100 million pounds…
I’d have put that down to more than likely incompetence, that was until a thread on Swallow Swallow about him to check out his ‘background’ uncovered that he owned a record shop in Leeds whose bitter rivals are Huddersfield Town – Now there may be nothing in it sinister regarding that match, but it won’t take very long until he’s sucked into the skullduggery up here in this bent and corrupt football country !
Bringing in the drummer from Culture Club as head of VAR is a brave move by the SFA, I’ll grant them that…..