Iain Brines

Iain Brines (born July 22 1967) is a Scottish football referee in the Scottish Premier League. Iain has been a referee since 1989 and has been a FIFA Referee since 2003. He is 6'2" and weighs 80 kg.

Criticism

Brines has previously been the target of criticism over his performance, in particular a match between Rangers and Motherwell on October 31 2007 at Fir Park. The managers of both sides, Walter Smith and Mark McGhee commented on his poor decisions. In one case, Walter Smith commented when Brines failed to award a penalty when Nacho Novo, a Rangers player, was fouled inside the penalty box. Mark McGhee was unhappy about another incident where Brines awarded a corner to Rangers, despite a foul on the Motherwell goalkeeper, Graeme Smith. As a result of this corner, Nacho Novo scored for Rangers.

Brines has also been criticised by Clyde Manager, Graham Roberts, when, in a game between Clyde and Stranraer, Brines sent off Clyde player, Alex Williams for an alleged kick at Chris Innes, which has since been proved wrong by video evidence.

And on 19 April in a match between Celtic and Aberdeen, Brines was the target of criticism from most Aberdeen playing and managerial staff and on popular radio talk show Your Call, after Zander Diamond equalised in the 3rd minute of added time for Aberdeen but Brines ruled out the goal for hand ball by Barry Nicholson in the build up to the goal. However, no Celtic players or fans had claimed for the hand ball and TV evidence later showed Nicholson had clearly controlled the ball with his chest. The decision might end Aberdeen's hopes of finishing 3rd and qualifying for Europe. Earlier in this match he also incorrectly chalked off 2 goals by Samaras of Celtic.

In a statement to the media days later, Brines said: "On reflection and having now had the opportunity to view the incident via TV, I fully accept that I called this incident completely wrong. It is clear that the goal should not have been disallowed."

References

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7072358.stm "Smith and McGhee round on referee"] , "BBC News, October 31 2007. Accessed November 1 2007.
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/clyde/4687214.stm "Clyde's Williams appeal rejected"] , "BBC News, February 10 2006. Accessed November 1 2007.
* [http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/referee_profile.cfm?viewprofile=1&refereeid=20250568&viewcategory=1 "Scottish Football Association - Referee Profile"] , "Scottish FA Website. Accessed January 23 2008.

External links

*SFA Referee|id=20250568|name=Iain Brines