Controversial Scottish official Dougie McDonald has retired as a category one referee with immediate effect.
Controversial Scottish official retires as category one referee
Controversial Scottish official Dougie McDonald has retired as a category one referee with immediate effect.
The 45-year-old announced his decision in a statement on Sunday night following the first ever Scottish football referees' strike this weekend.
McDonald has come under criticism after admitting he had misled Celtic boss Neil Lennon over his decision to rescind a penalty he initially awarded to the Hoops in their league win over Dundee United in October.
The Scottish official was handed an official warning by the referee's committee after an investigation into the incident by SFA chief executive Stewart Regan.
But Celtic chairman John Reid had called for McDonald to resign or be sacked by the SFA 10 days ago and the fall-out over the incident contributed to this weekend's referee strike.
Regret
McDonald said: "It is with regret that I have decided, with immediate effect, to retire from my role as a category one referee.
"My category one colleagues decided rightly to withdraw their services from matches this weekend in response to the outrageous way they have been treated by sections within Scottish football and, in my opinion, the lack of support they have received from the SFA General Purposes Committee in recent years.
"However, their united stand, and the position of strength they have established this weekend, has been clouded by one issue, namely the aftermath of the Dundee United v Celtic match on 17 October.
"I apologised for my role in that and wanted my previously unblemished 29-year career to move on.
"Now is the time for all of Scottish football to move on.
"My decision will therefore remove that issue from the debate and ensure that the next day of action - which, in my opinion, will undoubtedly come if the football community does not have a massive change of heart - will result in media coverage being concentrated on those who engage in referee bashing and those who condone it."
Important
McDonald added: "It is also important to make clear that just as this issue is not about Dougie McDonald alone, nor is it about Celtic Football Club alone.
"The truth is, since I became a class one referee, managers or players - and sometimes directors - at almost every club, at one time or another, have been guilty of such behaviour.
"The only difference being the degree and tenor of the criticism and the inferences from it.
"The constant has been the unwillingness of the SFA general purposes committee to deal with it.
"I suggest they check the meaning of phrases such as 'wasn't impartial' used by (former Celtic winger) Aiden McGeady and 'conspires to' used by (Dundee United manager) Peter Houston and consider whether we want those used in Scottish football."
