Bobby Madden’s Ross County vs Celtic absence explained as SFA forced to apologise over Covid-19 blunder

SFA chiefs have confirmed Bobby Madden was withdrawn as a ref for Ross County vs Celtic after being in close contact with an official who tested positive.

SunSport broke the news earlier that David Munro had been drafted in as a replacement for Madden after emergency talks.

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Madden was due to referee Ross County vs Celtic in DingwallCredit: Willie Vass – The Sun

Madden returned from Athens on Monday morning after answering an extraordinary personal SOS from the Greek Super League to referee Panathinaikos and Olympiakos.

The 41-year-old was assisted by Scots officials David Roome and Graeme Stewart for the fixture in the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium.

But it has now been revealed that linesman Roome tested positive after returning from the game in Greece, while Madden and Stewart were given the all-clear.

However, Stewart was allowed to run the line at Easter Road yesterday during Hibernian’s 2-0 win over Hamilton.

LAST MIN CHANGE Bobby Madden stood down from Celtic’s trip to Ross County as new ref drafted in

And up until this afternoon, Madden was preparing to take charge of this evening’s Premiership clash in Dingwall.

Under strict Scottish government guidelines though, Madden and Stewart should have been identified as close contacts of their virus-hit colleague.

All three officials are now self-isolating.

It’s an embarrassing own goal for the SFA, just a week after Nicola Sturgeon warned the game’s bosses to “get its house in order” after five Rangers players flouted lockdown rules.

And tonight, Hampden chief executive Ian Maxwell has issued an apology to Hibs and Accies for putting both clubs at “unnecessary risk”.

He said: “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.

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David Roome tested positive after returning from GreeceCredit: PA:Press Association

“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.

“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.

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Linesman Graeme Stewart at end of Hibs vs Hamilton Accies

“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.”

A statement from Hampden read: “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.

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SFA chief Ian MaxwellCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

“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.

“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.

“Bobby and the other assistant, Graeme Stewart, returned a further two negative tests this week since returning, in addition to the UEFA required tests.

“Notwithstanding the above, upon further investigation by the Scottish FA’s medical consultant they have been considered close contacts under Scottish Government regulations.

“We are aware that Graeme Stewart was assistant referee at yesterday’s Premiership match between Hibernian and Hamilton Academical. 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.

“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.”

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