The SFA ban Michael Stewart from Hampden this weekend for his comments on Scottish referees. At least he has more balls than Celtic when it comes to this subject…

The SFA really doesn’t like it when their amateurish ways are called out.

When somebody tells them that their referees are shite, rather than tackling the problem that has blighted the game for years on end, they resort to banning the people who call it out.

It appears Premier Sports and BBC pundit, Michael Stewart has fallen foul of their wrath after his constant comments on officiating in the Scottish game lately.

Stewart will be banned from Hampden Park this weekend, so he won’t be present to offer his analysis on either of the Semi-final ties.

Stewart was told to stay away for the recent friendly between Scotland and Japan, and it would appear he is not permitted to come back this weekend either.

I like Michael Stewart as a pundit.

He is one of the more honest and forthright commentators in the Scottish game.

He’s not afraid to tell it like it is, and he is the epitome of an unbiased pundit.

He doesn’t wear his allegiances on his sleeve, like plenty of other individuals involved in the Scottish sports media.

Therefore, when he speaks, people generally listen.

It would appear that SFA chief Ian Maxwell listens too.

And while Stewart’s commentary on shoddy refereeing might be music to most fans’ ears, it certainly doesn’t have the same effect on Maxwell.

Maxwell took offence when Stewart called out an offside decision last November during a game between St. Mirren and Hibs.

Stewart believed the officials tried cover up a VAR decision.

He apologised for his comments, but that apparently wasn’t enough for Maxwell, who has insisted that he remains banned from Hampden.

But its not just Maxwell who is getting fed up with Stewart’s constant criticism of referees and Willie Collum, the referees themselves are moaning about it now too.

They want him silenced.

Those poor delicate referees and their assistants have had enough.

They’ve complained to Premier Sports and Maxwell in the SFA as well.

The Scottish Senior Football Referees’ Association has had just about enough of Stewart.

Which means he must doing something right if its getting to them that much.

As a result, Stewart has now been banned from Hampden indefinitely.

Which sends a very clear message, voices of dissent will not be tolerated.

Stewart hits the nail on the head with these comments:

Instead of trying to silence voices of dissent, the Scottish FA should be engaging with us, answering our questions and explaining their position.

People have every right to disagree with me – and many of them do every day. But all football commentators should be free to express an opinion, without being denied access to the places we go to do our job.

I think its fair to say the SFA doesn’t engage with anyone.

Unless, of course, they’re criticised.

Then they’ll engage very quickly, but not in the way you’d expect, as can be seen quite clearly by this article.

I guess that’s why Celtic are too gutless to call them out?

Because then they’d have to face the ‘wrath’ of Ian Maxwell and the SFA.

I’d say Silent Mike has sleepless nights at the thoughts of that…

Of course, the state of Celtic doesn’t cause him to lose sleep at all.

But being feart of Ian Maxwell would, obviously, since he won’t open his mouth to the SFA.

As for Michael Stewart?

I’ve got to commend him for his courage.

At least he’s got balls.

Testicular fortitude is something that’s sorely lacking in the Celtic boardroom.

Although I’m pretty sure Dermot Desmond has all of the Celtic board’s balls locked away in one of his safes somewhere.

Nobody seems to have snatched Michael Stewart’s yet though.

Fair play to him.

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