News
Productive refs meeting held
Hearts players and coaching staff today met with Scottish FA referees development officer Hugh Dallas in a meeting that was described as productive by the former FIFA official.
Held at the club's Riccarton training base the referee's chief fielded a wide range of questions during the 90 minute briefing, held at the behest of Csaba Laszlo.
"It followed on the back of yesterday's meeting with the managers and coaches at Hampden where we showed them the DVD of instructions for season 2008-09," Hugh told Hearts.TV after the meeting.
The manager and assistant Werner Burger attended the meeting at the National Stadium.
"We felt it was only fair that the players were aware of what the referees were being coached and told what to do," Hugh continued.
"It was a very positive meeting with lots of questions being asked about various topics. We spoke about foul play, simulation, the treatment of injuries and dissent - all the things we need the players to have a better understanding of.
"You will always have two or three players who will be more willing to take part in it but the main thing was the questions they were asking were valid questions.
"They were seeking clarification about certain situations. We should now see a better understanding as the season goes on."
Hugh admitted that referees DO make mistakes, just as players do, too. "Referees don't always make the correct decision," he explained, "but the referees are no different to the players."
Hugh was speaking to Hearts.TV in an exclusive interview which is online now - just for Hearts.TV subscribers!
