St Mirren’s head coach, Craig McLeish, has found himself at the centre of a disciplinary dispute with the Scottish Football Association after he made remarks about referee Sean Murdoch during a recent cup tie. The incident unfolded following St Mirren’s Scottish League Cup encounter with Dunfermline Athletic last week. In that match, McLeish grew increasingly agitated after a sequence of contentious decisions that swung momentum in favour of the opposition.
During the first half, a free‑kick taken by Dunfermline was initially ruled a goal for St Mirren, only for the officials to overturn the decision after a brief consultation. The reversal nullified what appeared to be a crucial breakthrough for McLeish’s side.
Later, in the dying minutes of the game, the referee awarded a penalty to Dunfermline, further compounding St Mirren’s frustration and ultimately sealing a defeat. When speaking to the media about those pivotal moments, McLeish quipped, “Who was he a goalkeeper for?” – a reference to Sean Murdoch, who, despite being the match official, had previously played as a goalkeeper for Dunfermline across two separate spells in his playing career. The comment was intended as a light‑hearted jab, but it quickly attracted the attention of the SFA’s disciplinary committee.
McLeish subsequently clarified that his remark was made in jest and that he never intended to impugn Murdoch’s neutrality or competence. In an interview with Sky Sports News, the 36‑year‑old manager said he was “disappointed” by the decision to charge him, emphasizing that his comment was not meant to undermine the integrity of the officiating crew.
Nevertheless, the Scottish FA proceeded to issue a formal charge against McLeish for breaching disciplinary rule 72. This regulation explicitly prohibits anyone associated with the game from publicly criticising a referee’s decisions or performance in a manner that suggests bias, incompetence, or a lack of professionalism. The rule is designed to protect officials from undue pressure and to preserve the respect owed to match officials across all levels of Scottish football.
In response, St Mirren Football Club released a brief statement acknowledging receipt of the Notice of Complaint from the SFA. The club indicated that it would carefully review the document and consider its options before taking any further action. The statement concluded with a pledge not to comment further until the matter had been fully assessed. The disciplinary hearing for McLeish has been scheduled for 27 August, giving both the club and the manager ample time to prepare a defence.
The outcome of that hearing could result in a range of sanctions, from a formal warning to a potential fine or suspension, depending on how the panel interprets the severity of the comment and the context in which it was made. This case is not isolated.
Earlier in the season, Rangers manager Derek McInnes received a four‑match ban for a similar breach of rule 72 after he publicly criticised a decision that awarded Celtic a late, match‑winning penalty at Motherwell. McInnes had described the call as “disgusting,” a sentiment that the SFA deemed to cross the line from permissible post‑match analysis into unacceptable personal attack on an official’s judgment. McInnes initially served three of the four matches immediately, but Rangers appealed the sanction.
The appeal was successful enough to allow him to be on the touchline for the opening fixture of the new season, where Rangers travelled to face Dundee United on Sky Sports. In another related incident, former Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt was handed a four‑match suspension after he labeled the same penalty decision the “worst VAR decision in history.” The SFA’s disciplinary panel concluded that Watt’s comment, made on social media, breached the same rule aimed at curbing inflammatory language directed at officials. Motherwell themselves were fined £5,000 for a club‑issued social‑media post that echoed similar criticism. These examples illustrate a broader trend within Scottish football: the governing body is increasingly vigilant about protecting referees from public vilification.
While managers, players, and pundits are entitled to express opinions on contentious calls, the SFA draws a clear line when those opinions appear to question an official’s competence or impartiality. The aim is to maintain a respectful environment that encourages officials to perform their duties without fear of personal attacks. For St Mirren supporters, the situation adds an extra layer of intrigue to the club’s upcoming fixtures.
The team will be looking to rebound from the cup disappointment and focus on their league campaign, while McLeish’s potential sanction could affect his availability for future matches. The club’s leadership will need to balance the desire to defend their manager’s right to comment with the necessity of adhering to the SFA’s regulatory framework. Fans can continue to follow the Scottish Premiership through various streaming platforms, including NOW TV, and watch live matches on Sky Sports.
The league’s schedule remains packed with high‑stakes encounters, and the ongoing dialogue about referee criticism is likely to remain a talking point throughout the season. In summary, Craig McLeish’s comment about referee Sean Murdoch sparked a disciplinary response from the Scottish FA under rule 72, which seeks to curb public criticism that suggests bias or incompetence. The club has acknowledged the charge and will await the outcome of the hearing set for late August.
This incident sits alongside similar cases involving Derek McInnes and Elliot Watt, underscoring the SFA’s commitment to safeguarding the reputation and authority of match officials across Scottish football.