Below is the exact statement released by the SFA (Red writing my remarks).
The Scottish FA has this evening withdrawn Bobby Madden from his duties as match official for the Scottish Premiership match between Ross County and Celtic after he was identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case. (4 days after a positive test, not exactly efficient)
Bobby was one of three Scottish match officials in charge of the derby match between Panathinaikos and Olympiakos in Athens last Sunday. These appointments were requested by UEFA and organised and arranged by the Greek FA, in compliance with UEFA’s COVID-19 protocols and including the relevant testing regime. (Used UEFA guidelines on Coronavirus, And this was not essential travel, it was asked if our refs could help out and will be paid £2,500).
Upon return, one assistant referee, David Roome, was retested on Tuesday evening and returned a positive test on Wednesday. Two negative tests had been undertaken on the Friday and Saturday prior to the match. (All 3 match officials were close contacts and everyone knows this).
Bobby and the other assistant, Graeme Stewart, returned a further two negative tests this week since returning, in addition to the UEFA required tests. (This is correct but when in Scotland we use track and trace amd returning a negative test DOES NOT MATTER, close contact and you isolate as per our governments protocols not UEFA).
Notwithstanding the above, upon further investigation by the Scottish FA’s medical consultant they have been considered close contacts under Scottish Government regulations. (4 days too late!)
We are aware that Graeme Stewart was assistant referee at yesterday’s Premiership match between Hibernian and Hamilton Academical. (If he filled in a risk assessment like anyone else who enter another teams bubble that would have not allowed this to happen) We have informed both clubs as part of a review of process initiated today and Dr MacLean has informed the Elite Sports Clinical Advisory Group. No players or members of team staff involved in yesterday’s match have been identified as close contacts of Graeme. (Very very lucky and incompetent at the highest level to risk others by the SFA).
As a result, all three match officials must now undertake 10 days of self-isolation dated from Monday 15 February, as the date of last contact for Bobby and Graeme, and from Tuesday 16, the date of the positive test for David. (As any other person like you or me would have had to have done at that exact time. Imagine a player doing what the SFA have done here!!)
Ian Maxwell, the Scottish FA Chief Executive, has today consulted with the referee operations department and the chief medical consultant to seek clarity on the breakdown in internal process. (Ian Maxwell is not fit for purpose and as the CEO is behind countless f ups under his tenure)
“While the circumstances are complex the reality is that under Scottish Government guidelines all match officials involved in the trip should be considered close contacts,” he said. (How are they complex. Everyone knows you have to isolate if you are in close contact with someone who tests positive with covid, even if you return a negative test yourself.).
“I have reiterated that the positive case and subsequent contact tracing should have been undertaken in line with the Scottish Government’s guidelines and the established system utilised by ESCAG. (A bit late now saying what should have been done, especially as your organisation hands out penalties to players doing exactly what the refs have done here).
“I have tonight apologised to Hibernian and Hamilton Academical for the unnecessary risk of having an assistant referee at a match when he should have been self-isolating, however much it is mitigated by two negative tests in the build-up to the match. (It is not mitigated FFS! Its the bloody rules you organisation preaches, and to say the refs dont need to take a risk assessment if testing negative is grossly unprofessional and beyond words, Just step down you imbecile, between this and asking lennon to forefront the roadmap into scottish football regarding compliance shows your credibility for the job - none)
“As part of an internal review, I have asked the respective departments to ensure we maintain the highest standards of compliance relevant to Scottish Government protocols.” (Sweep sweep)