Former referee Hugh Dallas has blasted back at those who targetted Kevin Clancy following last weekend's Celtic vs Rangers clash, branding those who sent alleged death threats as "warped".
The official was the target of alleged threatening communications following Saturday's blockbuster showdown at Parkhead.
The SFA have since reported this to Police Scotland and an investigation is now underway.
Reacting to the recent statements from both the police and the SFA, Dallas told The Sun: “Unfortunately, there is a small minority of morons out there who want to make themselves feel better by venting their fury.
“You don’t ever accept this is what you sign up for when you start in refereeing.
“If someone is so warped that they find out the private contact details and address of an official, I don’t want that person at my front door. If they have gone to the length of finding things out, they are unstable enough to create problems for you and your family.
“Half these guys are simply cowards who just want to make themselves feel better.
“When the match appointments were made last week, Kevin would have been thrilled that he’d been appointed to the fixture. But unfortunately, this is the nonsense that goes with it because you’re going to upset either one end of the city or the other.
“But they won’t affect Kevin or any other top referee from going back to Celtic Park or Ibrox, because that’s where these guys want to officiate, at the highest level.
“Everyone saw the game. The laws of the game are there and the referee made the decision to disallow the goal. It’s simple and that should be the end of it.
“But there are always going to be decisions that sway one half of the city.”
On who will be appointed for the remaining derby clashes this season, Dallas added: “Bobby Madden has moved away, so there are a limited number of refs who’d be considered — probably Willie, John Beaton, Nick Walsh and Kevin.
“Nick has already done two and it could be one of the others does two this season as well.
“I did three one season, which was beyond the call of duty.
“But the guys will be quite willing to take the game on.
“The SFA also need to start thinking about bleeding in another younger official.”
