Angry Dundee fans have written to two top refereeing officials over whistler Steven McLean being put in charge of Saturday’s controversial clash with Kilmarnock despite having strong family connections with the Ayrshire club.
McLean blundered by awarding the second-half penalty that saw Killie take the three points from the Dens Park clash.
And supporters with long memories are unhappy he was handling the proceedings despite his father, Stewart, making over 500 appearances for the Rugby Parkers between 1974 and 1990.
To add to the conspiracy theories, for 12 years he was a team-mate of Paul Clarke – brother of their current boss Steve.
The pair even appeared on the same sticker in an edition of the annual Panini football album.
All that’s prompted the Dundee Supporters’ Association to write to SFA head of referees’ committee chairman Willie Young and their head of refereeing, John Fleming, to question the sense behind having McLean taking games involving Kilmarnock.
“Several of our members have contacted me to express their concerns over this and we think it’s only right to pass them on to the authorities,” said DSA chairman Kenny Ross.
“And I do think there is reason to question the validity of this appointment when the referee so clearly has family connections to Kilmarnock.
“If nothing else it puts him in a difficult position when you get a decision like Saturday’s.
“I know that Steven McLean’s brother Brian played for Dundee United, Ross County and a few other clubs and he was not allowed to take charge of games involving teams he was at.
“You think the same common sense approach could have been applied to his dad’s old team.”
The fans also pointed out should the Killie player who dived to win the kick, Jordan Jones, be handed a two-game ban, that in itself could damage Dundee.
The games he would miss would be against St Mirren and Hamilton, the two sides immediately above the Dark Blues at the foot of the Premiership.
SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell was copied in when the letter was e-mailed and has promised a response will be given.
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