Investigation rejects 'unsubstantiated, unfounded' complaints against Donegal ref

The Connacht/Ulster Regional Referees Committee has rejected two complaints against referee Michael Connolly.

A three-man committee from the Connacht/Ulster Regional Referees Committee (CURRC) met before Christmas to hear the complaints, which were separately lodged by representatives of Fintown Harps and Lifford Celtic.

The clubs wrote to the Donegal Junior League with their grievances, which were dealt with by the CURRC, who deemed the accusations against Mr Connolly as “unsubstantiated and unfounded”.

The committee cleared Mr Connolly of the charges, some of which it said were “exaggerated” or “based on hearsay”.

None of the complaints against the official were upheld.

In its findings, which have now been communicated to the relevant parties, the CURRC said in both cases: “The committee agree that the complaints, all of which can be classed as minor in nature, are unsubstantiated and unfounded and many are based on hearsay. Some were exaggerated. The referee in question is entitled to fair procedure and due process and allegations must be grounded in a clear and unambiguous manner, backed up with first-hand accounts from witnesses.”

One of the complaints, submitted in the name of Fintown Harps, alleged that the official, who is a member of the League of Ireland referees panel and has officiated at the top level here, “used foul language to a player in front of young spectators” and that “his tone is consistently of an extremely arrogant and condescending nature”.

The investigation committee said it found that there was a “hearsay” element to this complaint. “The committee finds this complaint to be unsubstantiated and unproven,” the decision said.

Another complaint centred around the removal of a person - more specifically, a child - from the dugout before a match between Fintown Harps and Fanad United in the FAI Junior Cup.

“The complaint, the committee finds, is disingenuous to say the least,” the CURRC said. “The referee was clearing acting in accordance with the Laws of The Game in having people not listed as members of the technical area removed prior to kick-off.”

The committee also said it was “puzzled” by the absence of a clear witness in relation to that particular complaint despite the club indicating its anxiousness in having the matter heard.

The decision document made further comment on the practice of having children present in technical areas. It said it was “clear” from listening to the complainant club that having a child in the technical area was “common practice with some referees in Donegal allowing this though it was against the Laws of The Game”. 

The CURRC noted that the initial complaint made reference to a video of the match being available, but “no link to such was provided by the club to the committee who felt there had been ample time for this to be done given the couple of weeks which had passed from the initial complaint to the hearing of same”.

This complaint also alleged that the referee showed a bias when sitting with opposing players during after match refreshments, a charge “dismissed without hesitation” by the investigators, who added: “It rejects any suggestion that the referee acted in an unprofessional manner by whom he did or did not speak with after the match in what was a social setting”.

The CURRC also dismissed, on similar grounds, complaints made in the name of Lifford Celtic, including an issue over tape being applied to players’ socks before a game at Gweedore United. The eventful game, played at Carrickboyle, finished 13-4 in Gweedore United’s favour. 

“It is quite clear having heard evidence from both sides, the referee carried out his duties in accordance with the Laws of The Game,” the CURRC said. “The committee rejects that the referee had acted in an aggressive manner. He acted fairly and within reason”.

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An allegation that Mr Connolly had provoked club representatives was thrown out as “not one example of this alleged behaviour was adduced by the club” and the panel rejected a suggestion that the referee had spoken in Irish in a demeaning manner.