Jump to content

Hugh Dallas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 90.197.224.58 (talk) at 16:18, 13 July 2010 (removal not justified per talk, re-word if desired). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Template:Infobox Football official 2 Hugh Dallas MBE (born 26 October 1957 in Allanton, near Shotts) is a former Scottish football referee and current SFA Head of Referee Development. He officiated at two FIFA World Cup events, in 1998 and 2002 as well as the 1996 Olympic Games. Dallas was the fourth official at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final and took charge of the 1999 UEFA Cup Final as well as several UEFA Champions League matches.

Since retiring at the end of the 2004-05 Scottish football season, Dallas has acted as a referee observer for the SPL and was appointed to the UEFA Referees’ Committee, following the announcement of the composition of all of its Committees and Panels for the period up to 2009. Dallas was also appointed to a new Referee Certification Panel, one of two panels introduced in connection with UEFA’s Referee Convention, while he continued his role as a UEFA referee observer. Since June 2009 Dallas is the SFA's Referee Development Officer.[1]

Early career

Dallas refereed his first amateur match in 1982 between Motherwell Bridgeworks and Victoria AFC.[2] His first foreign engagement came in 1988 when he was a linesman at a Cup Winners' Cup tie between Sampdoria and Carl Zeiss Jena.[2] While running the line at the 1993 Toulon Tournament Dallas stopped a match between Czechoslovakia and Portugal after spotting a serious injury to Martin Svedik. Dallas was credited with saving the player's life and widely praised for his intervention.[3]

In June 1997 Dallas refereed a FIFA World Cup qualifier between Spain and the Czech Republic. He awarded Spain the decisive penalty when Alfonso Pérez fell over at least two metres away from Czech goalkeeper Pavel Srníček, an error which Dallas rates as his worst of all time.[4] Dallas admitted to embarrassment and guilt after costing the Czech Republic a place at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.[4]

The first match at the FIFA World Cup for Dallas was a 2-2 draw between Mexico and Belgium in 1998. He sent off Pavel Pardo and Gert Verheyen in controversial circumstances with commentators[who?] divided over his decisions.[5][6][7]

More than a decade later, Dallas admitted to disappointment at being overlooked for the final stages of the 1998 FIFA World Cup.[8]

Controversies

Celtic v Rangers May 1999

In May 1999, Dallas presided over a controversial Old Firm fixture which involved several flashpoints both during and after the game; including an incident in which Dallas was hit on the head by a coin thrown by a Celtic supporter.[9]

Context

Celtic were the reigning champions and had beaten Rangers 5-1 earlier in the season. However, with many players unavailable to injury and suspension they now needed to beat Rangers again to prevent their rivals winning the title on their Celtic Park ground for the first time ever.[10]

Despite being the champions Celtic had not won a league match all season which Hugh Dallas had refereed.[11] Dallas had applied for the Celtic general manager job two years earlier but had been rejected in favour of Jock Brown.[12]

Match

The match was given a Sunday evening kick-off for reasons of live Sky Television coverage. It began in a frenzied atmosphere with Dallas penalising two fouls within the first minute.[13]

By the time the first major incident occurred on 31 minutes, Celtic's makeshift team were already 1–0 down. Stéphane Mahé was fouled by Neil McCann but Dallas gave Mahé a second yellow card for a minor offence variously reported as a foul on McCann,[14] Dissent towards Dallas[13] and making a "threatening gesture" to McCann.[15] The reaction of Mahé and the home crowd to the sending off was disbelief and fury. Mahé initially refused to leave the pitch and had to be restrained by his team-mates.[16]

After a further "string of borderline decisions going against [Celtic]"[16] Dallas awarded Rangers a free-kick[10] or a corner[14][16] after McCann had kicked the ball out of play.[16] At this point a Celtic supporter ran towards Dallas but was intercepted by Henrik Larsson and Morten Wieghorst.[16] With missiles now being thrown from the stands, Dallas was struck on the head by a coin and required several minutes of treatment from Celtic's medical team to stem the bleeding.[14][15] Immediately after play re-started, Dallas gave Rangers a dubious[17] penalty kick, adjudging that Riseth had pushed Vidmar. While many reports backed the decision and stressed Dallas' 'bravery,'[15] others suggested that he had acted out of retribution[18] or had been physically or mentally unfit to continue following the head injury.[16] Two further Celtic supporters entered the field either side of Jörg Albertz's penalty.[16]

Early in the second-half, Celtic's goalkeeper Stewart Kerr, deputising for first-choice Jonathan Gould, picked up the ball outside his area with McCann through on goal, but received only a yellow card.[17] In total Dallas booked 11 players and sent off Rod Wallace and Vidar Riseth late in the match which ended 3–0.[16] He failed to send-off Sergio Porrini and Enrico Annoni, despite the pair engaging in a fist-fight.[10]

After the match Rangers' players further inflamed the situation by staging a mock imitation of Celtic's team huddle,[17] just as they had done two years earlier. They were pelted as they left the field,[19] making inflammatory gestures. Throughout, Rangers' support had chanted their usual repertoire of anti–Catholic songs.[20]

Aftermath

The SPL enquiry into the events fined Celtic an unprecedented £45,000. Dallas was apparently absolved of all blame and it was claimed that the behaviour of Mahé and Celtic's failure to control their players caused the problems.[21] It was decided that future Old Firm league matches were to be given an afternoon kick-off time.

Rangers' appearance before the enquiry was delayed for a month because they objected to the composition of the commission.[21] A new four-man panel which Rangers found more congenial, took one day to unanimously clear the Ibrox club of any wrongdoing.[22]

Celtic commissioned an independent report from a behavioral psychologist as part of their own enquiry into the affair. As well as criticism of Mahé and Riseth,[23] the report suggested Dallas had incited the home crowd with inappropriate gestures, including placing his hand on Giovanni van Bronckhorst's buttocks[24] shortly after the dismissal of Mahé. It also highlighted Rod Wallace's persistent illegal use of the elbow, unpunished until he was sent-off late in the game.[23] Celtic submitted the report confidentially, but its contents were leaked in January 2000.[24] This led an indignant Dallas to threaten legal action[25] and brought about widespread criticism of Celtic's 'paranoia' in the Scottish newspaper media.[26]

Dallas remained in charge for the Old Firm Scottish Cup final on 29 May 1999. He made more major decisions in Rangers' favour during their 1–0 win, although these were less contentious.[27] He was also given charge of the next Old Firm game, a 1-1 draw in December 1999, despite Celtic's protests at the appointment.[28]

Turkey v Italy June 2000

UEFA offered Dallas police protection[29] after he awarded Italy a controversial late penalty in their 2–1 win over Turkey at Euro 2000. Turkey coach Mustafa Denizli called the decision "unforgivable" while furious Turkish fans jeered and pelted Dallas with missiles.[30][31] The Sabah newspaper termed Dallas "the ref of nightmares" the following day[32] and Clive Thomas suggested Dallas' performance was marked by a lack of courage and an inability to keep up with play.[33] Dallas' friend and former colleague Brian McGinlay agreed that the penalty decision was totally wrong, but nevertheless claimed Dallas was "the best referee in Britain."[33]

After refereeing another group game in which he was heavily criticised,[34] Dallas was reduced to a fourth official role in the infamous semi–final match between France and Portugal.[35] UEFA's decision to overlook Dallas for the final stages occasioned shock and disappointment[36] in the Scottish newspaper media, since they had expected him to referee the final itself.[37][38]

In spite of events at the tournament, Dallas' statement "There have been 28 games so far and very little controversy with regards the decisions that have been made" was printed unchallenged by the Daily Record.[36]

AC Milan v Deportivo de La Coruña March 2001

Dallas presided over AC Milan's exit from the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League, in a 1–1 draw at the San Siro which the New York Times described as "a game of two dubious penalties."[39] A sequence of controversial decisions saw the crowd pelt Dallas with missiles including coins, fruit, bottles and cigarette lighters[40][41] as he left the field under police protection.[42][43]

Germany v USA June 2002

Dallas is best known in the United States for officiating the 2002 World Cup quarter–final between the USA and Germany, in which he declined to award a penalty kick to the USA after a shot by Gregg Berhalter was clearly blocked on the goal line by the outstretched arm of defender Torsten Frings. After what was described as the "refereeing oversight,"[44] German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn admitted "we were lucky."[44] However, an unrepentant Dallas claimed "If it's not intentional it's not a foul, no matter where it is."[45] In the same match Dallas cautioned Oliver Neuville for a foul committed by Jens Jeremies.[46] Although Dallas attested to the backing of his refereeing inspector over the incidents,[47] FIFA pointedly remarked upon "concern [at] one or two major mistakes."[45] While after Dallas' failure Pele described the standard of refereeing at the tournament as "very, very poor."[48]

Portugal had earlier objected to his selection for their group-stage game with Poland[49] and Dallas was not selected to referee any further matches in the tournament. Although with his age of mandatory retirement approaching he was allowed to act as fourth official in the final - much to his delight.[50]

Hearts v Rangers March 2005

Dallas was again pelted by missiles, this time by supporters of Heart of Midlothian, after he awarded Rangers a controversial injury-time penalty at Tynecastle and gave Saulius Mikoliūnas two red cards.[51] The decision, which effectively handed the SPL title to Rangers, saw Hearts openly question the "integrity" of Dallas and his linesman.[52] Dallas again threatened legal action[52] and denied that the controversy was related in any way to his decision to retire early at the end of that season.[53]

Post retirement

Dallas worked as an after-dinner speaker before becoming the Head of Referee's Development in 2009. He was soon involved in a public spat with Motherwell manager Jim Gannon.[54]

During 2009–2010 Dallas expressed disappointment[55] at refereeing standards in the SPL, after another series of high-profile errors apparently favoured Rangers at Celtic's expense.[56]

Personal life

Dallas was the MD of his own window and construction company, until it went into receivership in 2002.[57] He was reported to own a Jaguar with personalised number plates.[58]

Dallas reports that after the 2002 World Cup final, the victorious Brazil team insisted he join them following their celebratory team huddle dance around the World Cup trophy.[50] In December 2002, he was awarded an MBE for his services to Scottish football.[59]

Dallas' son Andrew is also attempting to become a referee.[8]

Television appearances

As discovered by TV show Fantasy Football League, Dallas was once a contestant on Family Fortunes, he also replaced Pierluigi Collina at Soccer Aid 2008 after Collina was injured.

References

  1. ^ "Dallas appointed as SFA's Head of Referee Development". Tribalfootball.com. 2009-06-13. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  2. ^ a b Hugh Dallas (2003-03-16). "From Motherwell bridgeworks to a world cup final". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  3. ^ "Scot helped save Czech player". The Herald. 1993-06-14. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  4. ^ a b Hugh Dallas (2003-03-16). "Sinking feeling hit home after TV angle revealed diving ploy". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  5. ^ Hugh Keevins (1998-06-21). "Whistler Dallas in red card storm". Sunday Mail. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  6. ^ Simon Pia (22 June 1998). "Referees ride rash challenges". The Scotsman. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  7. ^ Simon Pia (1998-06-22). "BELGIUM MANAGER BACKS DALLAS". The Scotsman. p. 23. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  8. ^ a b "Blood, guts and whistles". Press and Journal. 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  9. ^ Hugh Dallas (2003-03-09). "Sticking the whistle in my pocket and walking off". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  10. ^ a b c Kevin McCarra (1999-05-03). "Three sent off as Rangers clinch title". The Times. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  11. ^ "Celtic 1998/1999 results and fixtures". Soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  12. ^ "REF DALLAS BID FOR CELTIC JOB!; Secret talks over Jock Brown role". Sunday Mail. 1999-06-06. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  13. ^ a b "Rangers make history out of chaos". BBC. 1999-05-03. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  14. ^ a b c Ian Archer (1999-05-02). "Referee hit as Rangers take title". The Guardian. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  15. ^ a b c Jim Traynor (1999-05-03). "Football: GERS FIND THEIR NEW PARADISE; CELTIC 0 RANGERS 3". Daily Record. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h Stewart Weir (1999-05-03). "Football: Lost Bhoy Neil crowns Rangers' glory - Celtic 0 Rangers 3". The Mirror. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  17. ^ a b c John Greechan (1999-05-03). "McCann's the man as Rangers run amok". The Mail. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  18. ^ Eamonn Bannon (1999-05-06). "TERRIFIED WHEN FANS LOST THEIR MARBLES". Evening News. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  19. ^ "Football: It's time to cool it; KERR PLEA TO FANS". Daily Record. 1999-05-04. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  20. ^ Grant Wahl (1999-05-17). "Holy War". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  21. ^ a b Glenn Gibbons (1999-08-14). "THERE'S NO JUSTICE AS SPL FAILS FIRST TEST". The Scotsman. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  22. ^ Angus Wright (1999-09-03). "RANGERS CLEARED OVER PARKHEAD TROUBLE". The Scotsman. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  23. ^ a b Hugh Keevins (2000-02-06). "BONKERS!; Celts stars accused in dossier by mind doc". Daily Record. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  24. ^ a b Phil Gordon (2000-02-03). "Call for foreign referees to end 'bias'". The Times. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  25. ^ Ian Paul (2000-01-31). "Dallas seeks SFA advice;Referee may take legal action over psychologist's report from Celtic on disrupted Old Firm match". The Herald. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  26. ^ Roger Hannah (1999-12-17). "Football: Charter for the mindless morons". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  27. ^ Brian McNally (1999-05-30). "FOOTBALL SCOTTISH CUP FINAL SPECIAL: TREBLES ALL ROUND!;BUT CELTIC IN FURY AT REF DALLAS; CELTIC 0 RANGERS 1". Daily Mirror. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  28. ^ Jim Traynor (2000-01-31). "Celtic fail to ditch Old Firm ref Dallas". Daily Record. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  29. ^ "Celts boss says Hugh made a big mistake". Daily Record. 2000-06-12. Retrieved 2010-07-09.
  30. ^ "Inzaghi grateful for lucky break". BBC. 2000-06-11. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  31. ^ "Furious Turkish fans rain missiles on ref Dallas; EURO 2000". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 2000-06-12. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  32. ^ John Clements (2000-06-13). "HUGH WON'T FAZE ME;SCOTS WHISTLER DALLAS WAS TOO FOCUSED TO NOTICE TURK BARRAGE". The Mirror. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  33. ^ a b "Football Euro 2000: JUST SHUT IT BIG MOUTH; McGinlay slams Thomas over his Dallas dig-ups". Daily Record. 2000-06-13. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  34. ^ Peter Lansley (2000-06-19). "Football: Dallas feels Semb fury as Yugoslavs rule". The Independent. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  35. ^ Brian Scott (2000-06-30). "Dallas' helping hand to golden Slovak". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  36. ^ a b Keith Jackson (2000-06-27). "EURO 2000 FOOTBALL: Dallas is passed over for final ties". Daily Record. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  37. ^ Keith Jackson (2000-06-23). "FOOTBALL: Dallas in line to handle Euro 2000 final". Daily Record. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  38. ^ Glenn Gibbons (2000-06-23). "Dallas hot favourite for final". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  39. ^ Rob Hughes (2001-03-15). "Paris-Saint Germain Sorts Out Fans' Violence : Once the Powerhouse, Italy Is an Also-Ran". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  40. ^ Kenny Ross (2001-03-15). "Football: RINO: HUGH PUT US OUT OF EUROPE". The Mirror. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  41. ^ David McCarthy (2001-03-15). "Football: Hugh: I was pelted with fag lighters". Daily Record. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  42. ^ Jeff Powell (2001-03-14). "Ref under fire". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  43. ^ Massimo Marzocchi (2001-03-14). "Dallas faces wrath of AC Milan supporters". The Scotsman. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  44. ^ a b Ian Ladyman (2002-06-24). "Kahn says Germany will be victims of bad calls". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  45. ^ a b Rob Crilly (2002-06-24). "World Cup call for Europeans in referees row". The Herald. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  46. ^ Euan McLean (2002-06-23). "Football: Kaiser: German duds deserve to be punched". Sunday Mail. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  47. ^ "Dallas stands firm". BBC. 2002-06-23. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  48. ^ Dominic Fifield (2002-06-22). "World Cup : Goalline handball keeps spotlight on referees". The Guardian. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  49. ^ "Dallas angers Portugal". BBC. 2002-05-30. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  50. ^ a b "Samba stars pulled me into huddle to join victory party". Evening Times. 2010-06-07. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  51. ^ David Greechan (2005-03-03). "Utter chaos". Daily Mail. p. 96.
  52. ^ a b "Officials consider legal action". BBC. 2005-03-05. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |accessed= ignored (help)
  53. ^ "Dallas: Penalty abuse did not make me quit". The Scotsman. 2005-04-21. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |accessed= ignored (help)
  54. ^ "Scottish referees' chief fires back at Jim Gannon". BBC. 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  55. ^ "Disappointing season for SPL referees, says Hugh Dallas". BBC. 2010-02-16. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  56. ^ Alex Young (2010-06-13). "Celtic manager Neil Lennon criticises 'abysmal' Scottish match officials". Goal.com. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  57. ^ Ian McConnell (2002-06-05). "Early bath for Hugh Dallas George Wilson receiver has no place on team for referee". The Herald. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  58. ^ Alan Campbell (2002-01-13). "The world in his hands". Sunday Herald. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  59. ^ "Lawrences among New Year honours supporters". BBC. 2002-12-31. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hugh_Dallas&oldid=373280437"