John Beaton and his family have been placed under police supervision after his personal details were leaked online.
In a lengthy and strongly-worded statement, the SFA revealed that Beaton had been targeted on the back of his decision to award Celtic a late penalty in their 3-2 win at Motherwell in midweek.
After being referred to the pitchside monitor by VAR Andrew Dallas, Beaton awarded the spot-kick deep into stoppage-time for an alleged handball against Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson.
Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up to score and secure a last-gasp victory for Celtic, teeing up a final-day title showdown with Hearts at Parkhead this afternoon.
Hearts boss Derek McInnes branded the decision ‘disgusting’, comments which could yet land him with an SFA sanction.
The decision was ridiculed not only throughout Scottish football, but drew comment from all over the world given its significance in the title race.
John Beaton has been under the microscope this week following his display at Fir Park
But the SFA have fired back and claimed that the public outcry has, in part, led to Beaton’s personal safety being endangered.
‘John Beaton and his family spent last night at home under police surveillance following a leak of personal details online,’ read an SFA statement.
‘The Scottish FA condemns in the strongest possible terms attempts to compromise the safety of match officials,” said the SFA, which organises refereeing in the SPFL.
‘Such vigilantism, motivated by decisions perceived to be right or wrong on a field of play, is a scourge on our national game and we are grateful to Police Scotland for their swift intervention.
‘As we approach what should be an exciting finale to the season, we ask those who have personalised and hyperbolised their opinions, those who have sought the easy way out by attributing defeats to perceived refereeing errors, and those who have approved incendiary statements and posts to reflect on their contribution to creating an environment of intimidation, fear and alarm.
‘We are also clear, sadly, that this is the inevitable consequence of the heightening criticism, intolerance and scapegoating demonstrated this season by media pundits, supporters, official supporters’ groups, clubs, players, managers and former match officials.
‘We do not make that point lightly as the national association. Yet it is an inconvenient truth.
‘Those who have sought to apportion blame and conspiracy towards match officials to deflect from defeats or perceived injustices throughout the season have contributed to an environment that puts the safety of our staff and match officials in jeopardy.
‘This is the consequence of a hysterical media narrative, fuelled by irresponsible knee-jerk post-match media interviews, commentary and official social media posts.
‘The cumulative effect impacts on our ability to provide enough referees to service our game at all levels. When it compromises the safety and wellbeing of our most senior match officials, enough is enough.’
Kelechi Iheanacho dispatched the crucial penalty which kept Celtic’s title dream alive
It is understood that Willie Collum, the SFA’s head of refereeing, will back Beaton when he delivers his monthly VAR verdict next week.
The whole saga has cast a cloud over a thrilling finale to the season, with Hearts seeking to become champions for the first time in 66 years when they travel to Glasgow today.
In a passionate defence of their referees, the SFA statement continued: ‘Mistakes will be made on the field, and subjective calls made in front of the VAR monitor, just as managers will pick the wrong team, goalkeepers concede soft goals and strikers miss from five yards out. Yet the reaction to these inevitabilities could not be more contrasting.
‘What happened yesterday is not an isolated incident. There are many examples of match officials being placed in harmful situations but with individuals fearful of speaking out lest it exacerbates the situation or causes further alarm to friends, family and colleagues.
‘We will not allow this to become the norm. We will not allow a situation where match officials require special provision to protect their children at school to be considered an occupational hazard.
‘We will not allow a situation where staying at home with the front door locked and avoiding the hazards of public interaction becomes a coping strategy.
‘The Scottish FA will be seeking to strengthen its rules to better protect those integral to the game and urge those who will doubtless join us in condemning incidents like this to support those proposals, not contribute to their watering-down on the basis of self-preservation.’
Police announced last night they had arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the data protection offence.
