A Dundee FC fan who sent an email to the SFA saying he hoped to see a referee “die a horrible death” has been fined £200.
Andrew Hughes wrote that he had started a “hate campaign” against referee Bobby Madden after his performance in the Dark Blues’ draw with St Johnstone at Dens Park in November.
Two hours after the final whistle, Hughes emailed the SFA stating: “I am a Dundee supporter and I feel I must write after the recent performance of referee Bob Madden if you can call this ****hole a referee at the Dundee St Johnstone game on Saturday 8 November.”
He went on to describe Mr Madden as “a disgrace” and said “nothing would suit me better than to see this ****hole of a human being die a horrible death.”
Although Hughes sent a second email the next day apologising for his “vile comments” and “terrible language” the SFA had already contacted police.
After attending Blairgowrie police station, Hughes put his actions down to “alcohol and bravado.”
Hughes, 52, of High Street, Blairgowrie, pled guilty by letter to sending an email making abusive and threatening remarks about a referee after he had refereed a football match between Dundee FC and St Johnstone FC at Dens Park on November 8.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Courier.