NafisaNick Walsh’s refereeing is once again in the eye of a firestorm, with Scottish football fans and pundits turning up the heat following the latest flashpoint in Saturday’s Hibernian vs Rangers clash.
What should have been a routine final day encounter descended into farce when Rangers were denied what appeared to be a legitimate goal – the latest in a growing list of errors that have marred Walsh’s season.
The moment in question came in the first half at Easter Road. With Rangers leading 1-0, Nico Raskin forced the ball over the line amid a scramble in the Hibs box.
Footage and still images appeared to show the ball had clearly crossed the line before Rocky Bushiri’s desperate clearance. But Walsh waved play on, and with VAR claiming there was no conclusive angle, Hibernian immediately countered and scored at the other end.
The sequence flipped the match and ignited fury, particularly from Rangers TV pundit and club legend John Brown, who went as far as to brand the decision “corrupt.”
While that comment will almost certainly trigger disciplinary action from the Scottish FA, the real spotlight remains fixed on Walsh and his growing catalogue of costly misjudgements.
This wasn’t an isolated incident.
Repeat Offender: A Season of Controversy
In one of the most high-stakes matches of the Premiership calendar, Walsh found himself at the centre of another scandal just weeks earlier – the Ross County vs Dundee clash in May 2025.
In the 96th minute, with County trailing and seemingly heading for defeat, Walsh awarded a contentious penalty for a handball against Antonio Portales.
Despite replays raising serious doubts, the decision stood and Ronan Hale converted from the spot to secure a dramatic 1-1 draw. The fallout? St Johnstone were relegated after 16 years in the top flight.
BBC pundits, fans, and players alike were left stunned. “Disgraceful,” said Michael Stewart, with others questioning how VAR failed to overturn what many saw as a soft – or outright wrong – call.
Earlier in the season, Walsh was again in the firing line following contentious calls in matches involving Celtic and Aberdeen, where his inconsistency in issuing cards and allowing physical play to continue unchecked infuriated both dugouts.
The Breaking Point and What the SFA Can Do
Now, with the heat reaching boiling point after the Easter Road debacle, the Scottish FA face intense pressure to act. So, what could they realistically do?
- Temporary Demotion – Walsh could be removed from officiating top-tier Premiership games and reassigned to Championship matches until a full review of his performances is complete. This has precedent in English football when referees undergo “retraining” periods.
- Mandatory Retraining – The SFA may send Walsh for refresher courses, particularly on VAR protocol and goal-line decisions, as part of a wider push to raise refereeing standards.
- Suspension – Although rare, the SFA can impose a short-term suspension if they deem Walsh’s decision-making has brought the game into disrepute, especially with such high-profile blunders.
- Introduction of Goal-Line Technology – While not a punishment per se, the growing outcry around Walsh’s failures is fuelling renewed calls for the SPFL to finally implement goal-line tech. The Hibs-Rangers game may well become the tipping point.
- Public Acknowledgement or Review – The SFA might be forced to issue a public statement on Walsh’s future or allow an independent review panel to examine the key incidents across the season.
At this stage, fans and clubs alike are demanding not just accountability for Walsh, but systemic change. The integrity of the competition is at stake, and with another major summer of Scottish football ahead, the SFA cannot afford to let this storm rage on unchecked.
Nafisa
