We don’t envy referees at the best of times, but Don Robertson had a big call to make on Rangers’ trip to Dundee.
The rearranged Scottish Premiership clash has been called off for a second time following a second pitch inspection this afternoon.
Rangers have been left incensed by the “unprofessionalism” of Dundee, whose shoddy surface has now seen five postponements this season.
With sanctions in the pipeline for John Nelms & co, the match has been rescheduled for next Wednesday (17/04) at 8pm.
Don Robertson explains Dundee v Rangers pitch call
The decision rested with referee Don Robertson who initially deemed the surface playable earlier in the day.
However, in an interview with Sky Sports, the referee has revealed that the condition of the pitch “deteriorated” badly amid heavy rainfall.
It left the whistler no choice but to call the game off and he’s explained the problem surrounded one patch of the pitch at the edge of a penalty box.
Deeming the waterlogged surface unsafe for players, it’s a scathing review of the Dens Park surface.
“A second inspection was carried out at 3:30pm with the agreement of the clubs and the league,” said Robertson.
“I did an initial inspection at 11, the pitch was playable at that point, but obviously everyone is quite aware the issues that Dundee have had with their pitch.
“It’s not in great condition but it was playable at 11.
“Everyone was aware of the forecast for heavy rain in the area this afternoon, so that’s why we agreed on a pitch inspection on 3.30, to see how the pitch looked after the rain.
“Once I’ve arrived I’ve conducted that inspection and the pitch has deteriorated quite a lot in that time.
“There is an arra of concern just in front of the bottom penalty area which was wet this morning but playable.
“They’ve put the covers on and then in the four hours since that first inspection there’s been quite heavy rain and that area of the pitch has become sodden, it’s become waterlogged.
“In that case then it’s unsafe for the players to play on and unfortunately the match was postponed.”
When asked if he’d noticed a significant difference between both inspections, Robertson said: “I have. This morning, no-one would say that the pitch was in great condition but it was in a playable condition.
“It was safe for the players to play. The ball was bouncing, the ball was travelling through those areas where it was wet, it wasn’t ideal, but it was playable.
“When I’ve arrived back in the stadium and done the second pitch inspection, that’s not the case with those areas of the pitch.
“The ball isn’t travelling through those areas, it’s not bouncing, the pitch is waterlogged in that area so it’s not safe for the players to be running or turning in those areas.
“It’s quite a significant area of the pitch, it’s not in a small corner of the pitch. It’s quite a significant area in the middle of the field.
“Once I determine that those areas are unsafe for the players, and that’s my concern here, then it goes the match is postponed.”
Referee insists “player safety” forced his hand
With plenty hanging on the line in this match, it was a big decision for Don Robertson to take.
Rangers have a game in hand on Old Firm rivals Celtic which could see them top the table, whilst Dundee are fighting for a top six place.
With the Scottish Premiership’s final pre-split fixture to take place this weekend, the situation is getting drastic.
Whilst the position from Ibrox is clear, Don Robertson has been explaining why he had no other alternative.
Asked if they could’ve done a third inspection to ensure the game went ahead, Robertson said: “Those decisions are not for me to make. They’re for the clubs and the league to decide on when they want inspections.
“My role is to conduct a pitch inspection when I’m asked to by the league and to make a determination on the suitability on the pitch in terms of the safety of the players at that time.
“Everyone is aware that the forecast is for rain in Dundee, so the condition of the pitch at 11am and 3:30pm has deteriorated and it’s been raining.
“So it would be logical to assume that with more rain the pitch would deteriorate further. It’s not playable at the moment and that’s the decision they’ve made.”
When asked about the pressure on the call, Robertson said: “You have to forget about all that.
“We’re referees, we’re involved in football, we know what’s going in football, title races, Dundee fighting for top six. We all want the games to go ahead.
“We all come from this point, but when I’m out there doing a pitch inspection I’m purely looking at ‘is it safe for the players to play’. That’s my primary concern, my sole concern. ‘Will it pose a threat to the players not by footballing actions but by the condition of the pitch, will it be a threat to their safety?’
“In this situation, the pitch at Dundee, when I’ve conducted the second inspection it’s unsafe for the players to play, so I can’t ask them to play in those conditions.”
Rangers and Dunde will now gear up to do it all again next week.
