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#Post#: 22640--------------------------------------------------
FIFA to investigate Douglas Ross over potential rule breach
DIR By: bmb
Date: November 2, 2020, 2:45 pm
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*Just be careful what is said on here - it is an active
investigation*
HTML https://www.thenational.scot/news/18839977.fifa-confirm-probe-lead-end-douglas-rosss-career-referee/?ref=twtrec
FIFA has confirmed that they are investigating claims Douglas
Ross broke strict neutrality rules by using their logo on Tory
party leaflets.
If found guilty of breaching the governing body’s statutes, the
part-time professional referee could face a ban from the sport.
FIFA’s rules states that they do not take a position “in matters
of politics and religion.”
However, last month the Scottish Tories, in a bid to raise the
profile of their new leader, sent every house in Scotland a
“meet Douglas Ross” leaflet.
One page featured a picture of the Moray MP at his second job,
working as a professional referee, wearing a shirt emblazoned
with the FIFA badge.
The image of Ross was also used by the party for their campaign
calling on the Scottish Government to create a “fans fighting
fund”.
On Sunday we told how a member of the Scottish Football
Supporters Association has now written to FIFA suggesting Ross’s
use of the logo questions “the integrity of football”.
The fan – who’s asked not to be named – wrote: “I want FIFA to
launch an investigation and deal with this matter as a matter of
urgency, given that we are now in an election cycle in our
country.
“This leaflet has been distributed by the political party that
Mr Ross leads. It has been sent to households throughout
Scotland and it clearly shows him using his image as a FIFA
official to try and benefit himself and his organisation with
this endorsement.”
On Monday morning, FIFA confirmed to The National that they were
probing the allegation.
A spokesman said: “We are currently looking into the matter and
have no further comment to make at this stage.”
A Scottish Tory spokesperson said: “Douglas will be happy to
clarify matters with FIFA and is not aware of any concerns from
the association.”
Keith Brown, the SNP's depute leader, said: "In his desperation
for attention Douglas Ross has irked an awful lot of people.
"FIFA are absolutely right to have launched an investigation on
the Scottish Tory boss - many people think he should be
sanctioned for politicising the beautiful game this way.
"In May - at the most important election Scotland has ever had -
voters have the opportunity to give Ross and Boris Johnson the
red and vote to put Scotland's future in Scotland's hands by
voting SNP."
Ross wouldn’t be the first politician to fall foul of the
statutes.
In 1995 referee Kurt Rothlisberger was suspended for three
months for giving unauthorised publicity to a political party.
Rothlisberger, who was campaigning for a seat in the Swiss
National, was photographed in his official FIFA referee uniform,
displaying the logo of his political party next to the FIFA
emblem.
The disciplinary committee said Rothlisberger “had misused his
position as a FIFA referee for political ends and thus
contravened article 2 of the FIFA Statutes.”
Earlier this year Ross was forced to apologise to some of the
last survivors of the Second World War after he snubbed a VJ Day
anniversary in his constituency to run the line at a match
between Kilmarnock and St Johnstone.
He donated his fee from the game – believed to be around £445 –
to Help for Heroes.
#Post#: 22642--------------------------------------------------
Re: FIFA to investigate Douglas Ross over potential rule breach
DIR By: RCG
Date: November 2, 2020, 2:59 pm
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Oh dear. Precedent set if found guilty, 3 months for the swiss
ref
Still cannot see how Ross can be regarded as a professional
official, given he spends most of his time on politics
#Post#: 22643--------------------------------------------------
Re: FIFA to investigate Douglas Ross over potential rule breach
DIR By: AFAref
Date: November 2, 2020, 3:02 pm
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He's obviously got the SNP worried!
#Post#: 22645--------------------------------------------------
Re: FIFA to investigate Douglas Ross over potential rule breach
DIR By: Hendo
Date: November 2, 2020, 4:10 pm
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If he has a word with Dominic Cummings I am sure he will find
out how to wriggle out of this unblemished and whiter than white
#Post#: 22646--------------------------------------------------
Re: FIFA to investigate Douglas Ross over potential rule breach
DIR By: ajb95
Date: November 3, 2020, 2:54 am
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HYPOTHETICAL - If he is found guilty there is no way he can
continue as a referee. He can then do what he promised voters
when he became leader of the Scottish Conservatives
#Post#: 22658--------------------------------------------------
Re: FIFA to investigate Douglas Ross over potential rule breach
DIR By: Seagull
Date: November 3, 2020, 6:49 am
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This is the danger when there's a clash of interests in any walk
of life. They're best avoided, in my view. You can only serve
one master.
#Post#: 22666--------------------------------------------------
Re: FIFA to investigate Douglas Ross over potential rule breach
DIR By: rustyref
Date: November 3, 2020, 11:41 am
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I could understand this if they had used the FIFA logo
standalone on the leaflet, but rather they have used the photo
of Ross in action refereeing where he just happened to be
wearing a FIFA badge that he is required to wear on European
games. Strikes me as a bit OTT, but then again I really can't
see how you can be a politician, let alone a party leader,
whilst also being a FIFA official knowing that you will be away
from home and work a lot.
#Post#: 22669--------------------------------------------------
Re: FIFA to investigate Douglas Ross over potential rule breach
DIR By: bmb
Date: November 3, 2020, 1:06 pm
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--- Quote from: rustyref link ---
>
> I could understand this if they had used the FIFA logo
standalone on the leaflet, but rather they have used the photo
of Ross in action refereeing where he just happened to be
wearing a FIFA badge that he is required to wear on European
games. Strikes me as a bit OTT, ...
>
--- End Quote ---
In general if you google any FIFA official and look at the
photos there are available of them out there in cyberspace in
some photos they will have FIFA badges, some Country badges and
others where the badge is obscured completely due to the angle
of the shot.
I guess the question of why they used that particular photo will
be part of the investigation and is something we should not
speculate on.
#Post#: 22685--------------------------------------------------
Re: FIFA to investigate Douglas Ross over potential rule breach
DIR By: PhiltheRef
Date: November 4, 2020, 1:06 pm
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Typically entitled Tory doing what he wants and what suits his
purposes with no regard for regulations with which he will have
been fully aware
#Post#: 22696--------------------------------------------------
Re: FIFA to investigate Douglas Ross over potential rule breach
DIR By: Microscopist
Date: November 4, 2020, 6:05 pm
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--- Quote from: RCG link ---
>
> Oh dear. Precedent set if found guilty, 3 months for the swiss
ref
> Still cannot see how Ross can be regarded as a professional
official, given he spends most of his time on politics
>
--- End Quote ---
Well in the absence of evidence to the contrary it appears that
his ambitions are to be an MP, an MSP and an AR after May 2021.
I suspect that will change!
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