Referee Colin Steven is facing heavy criticism after his response to a fiery incident in Celtic’s 3-1 victory over Hibernian drew the ire of two former officials.
The confrontation unfolded midway through the second half when Hibs defender Jack Iredale hauled down Nicolas Kühn, prompting Celtic striker Adam Idah to charge in and challenge him.
As tempers flared and both players squared up, many inside the ground expected the referee to quickly impose control.
Instead, footage shows Steven retreating as the situation boiled over, choosing not to intervene until much later. His decision has since been branded “very weak refereeing” by Des Roache and Steve Conroy, both ex-referees and co-hosts of The Ref’s View podcast.
Posting their reaction online, the pair insisted: “We’ve been sent this clip to review. Sorry, but to step back from a confrontation in progress is indefensible. You can’t justify that.”
Their remarks have added fuel to an already animated debate among fans and pundits, with many echoing the belief that the referee failed to manage the flashpoint with the authority required.
Although both Kühn and Iredale eventually received yellow cards, the lack of swift intervention left the clash to fester, relying on the players to de-escalate themselves.
Critics argue that referees in Scotland’s top flight must act firmly in these moments to prevent tensions from spiralling in front of packed stands.
Roache and Conroy, long outspoken on the standard of officiating, have only intensified the spotlight on a season where refereeing decisions are already under relentless scrutiny.