John Beaton has been sent an ominous warning by former refs amid claims he faces an SFA investigation. Scottish football's governing body have reportedly launched a probe into allegations Beaton verbally abused a supporter during Dundee 's clash with Livingston last season.
The incident is said to have taken place on May 15 at the Tony Macaroni Arena after Livi came from behind to win 2-1 as the Scottish Premiership campaign drew to a close. The Scottish Daily Express reported last week that SFA compliance officer Andrew Phillips had been alerted to alleged comments made by the whistler to a spectator, although an investigation has been yet been confirmed by Hampden bosses.
But former officials Steve Conroy and Des Roache admit they've been stunned by the claims and warned "hell mend him" if they are substantiated. Conroy said on the Get Involved Referee podcast: "I've never come across that before. I wasn't there, so I don't know what happened but I'd be bitterly disappointing if one of our most senior and experienced officials let him down.
"No matter what the extenuating circumstances or how much abuse the ref takes, you don't retaliate. I'd be very disappointed if that turned out to be true." And Roache agreed: "You're a professional, so you've got thousands of people shouting at you the whole game, why would you get involved in an isolated incident to target a person or group of people when you're there to be the match official?
"I'd be very surprised, extremely disappointing if that was the situation. But we don't know any extenuating circumstances and what's come in, we've only just seen what's been reported and alleged. But if that is the situation then hell mend him."
Conroy stressed the full details of the situation are yet to come to light but observed that they would usually result in swift punishment for a player. He said: "Again, we don't know what it is but if it's something like foul or abusive gestures or language then it's a red card. Translating that back to being a ref, what's good for the goose is good for the gander, I suppose."
And Roache added: "Listen, we've refereed games on a public park on a Saturday morning with wee Shug out walking his dog, getting absolute torrents of abuse, wee women walking by with their Tesco bags - that's standard, you can understand that there, to an extent. But you can't uphold yourself in a Premiership environment if you're commenting to the crowd. Do you know what? Blow your whistle, get off the park. That's all I did. Get off the park, cup of tea, up the road."
