Disliked... but respected (Dallas, Hugh)

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Product:	Dallas, Hugh
Date:	01/12/01 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: well respected, handles big matches

Disadvantages: heavy handed, controversial

Quick question - who is the only Scotsman going to the World Cup next year? No, don't count Alan Hansen summarising for the BBC, he was disowned by the nation when he started referring to England as "we". The answer is, of course, referee Hugh Dallas, who will head to Japan and South Korea as Scotland's representative and there are more than a few Scottish football fans who will hope his stomach doesn't agree with the local cuisine. Rightly or wrongly, Mr. Dallas is not the most popular figure within Scottish football.

From the outset, let me stress that I am not a paranoid Celtic fan. Nor am I a deluded Rangers fan, who for some obscure reason believe referees are against them. I am an Airdrie fan, a football lover, so my views are my own. Personally, I don't like Dallas, I think his officiating of Airdrie games in the past has been heavy handed and I need to take off my socks to count the number of games he's wasted.

I am not on my own in disliking Hugh Dallas. Three years ago, in the infamous Old Firm game, Dallas was struck by a coin after awarding a crucial penalty to Rangers in a crunch league game at Parkhead. Although the attack was unmerited, it has haunted Dallas to this day as he is constantly followed by cries of conspirancy and favourtism.

Nobody can condone the moronic actions of the Celtic support - he later had his windows panned in by a "fan" afer the match. But Dallas is no stranger to controversy.

Turkish fans slated him on flags after the awarding an equally dodgy penalty against Italy at Euro 2000. And Brazilian star Roberto Carlos branded Dallas "a joke" after an ill-fated performance in a World Cup qualifier against Uraguay.

But despite the controversy which will remain with him, Dallas is recognised as a quality ref throughout the world and the potential of him handling either a World Cup or Champions League final is very high. For that, he must be
given proper credit and deep down, many football fans will admit they respect the whistler from Bonkle.

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