Tannadice penalty controversy

By Brian McLauchlin

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies hopes assistant referee Steven Craven reconsiders his decision to quit professional football.

Craven resigned after the match at Tannadice between Dundee United and Celtic, referee Dougie McDonald having changed his mind about a penalty award.

The Scottish Football Association's investigation into the events at that match will be made public on Friday.

"I hope that somebody convinces him to come back into it," said Jefferies.

"I have come across Steven a few times. He is a good lad and a good type.

The media are doing their job and it gets hyped up all out of proportion Hearts manager Jim Jefferies

"I agree that we should try and stop all these threats towards officials."

McDonald's decision to overturned his own award of a penalty to Celtic, taken after consulting with Craven, led to criticism from Celtic manager Neil Lennon.

And an SFA investigation into the matter will release its findings on Friday.

Craven's resignation came in a week when it was also revealed that referee Willie Collum received phone threats after awarding Rangers a penalty during their win over Celtic on Sunday.

Jefferies thinks the media puts extra pressure on officials

"There is no place for that in the game," said Jefferies, who thinks Craven's resignation would be a loss to the game in Scotland.

"Criticism, though, is part and parcel of the game and referees just have to get on with it - just as we do as managers."

Jefferies also says that the media have a part to play in how criticism of referees is reported.

"The media are doing their job and it gets hyped up all out of proportion," he added.

"The Celtic-United game was 10 days ago, but the media keep the story going.

"Celtic came out and made a comment after it and there is nothing wrong with that."

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