Mike McCurry (referee)
Michael McCurry (born 4 June 1964) is a football referee from Scotland. He is also a Baptist Associate Pastor[1]. He refereed the 2004 Scottish League Cup Final. McCurry considers his refereeing to be a hobby and lists his main occupation as "Minister of Christian Faith".[2]
Controversy
McCurry has become a controversial figure in Scottish football, having been criticised on a number of occasions for his handling of matches involing Rangers F.C., most notably a match against Dundee United on 10 May 2008. Dundee United lodged a complaint to the Scottish Football Association over the events.
Dundee United manager Craig Levein was quoted after the match: "We had a blatant penalty and he bottled it. If it's not a level playing field and, if we don't get the decisions, blatant, important decisions then what is the point of turning up?" McCurry later admitted that he had made several mistakes in the match.[3]
However the Scottish FA rejected Levein's accusations, filing charges against Levein and Dundee United.[4] These charges resulted in Levein being fined £5,000 by the SFA. He later refused to apologise for anything he had previously said about McCurry's performance in the game in question. It is not known whether Levein will appeal against the fine.[5]
McCurry had previously been criticised for his handling of matches involving Rangers on a number of occasions. Following an SPL game between Aberdeen F.C. and Rangers on 14 November 2000, Aberdeen lodged an official complaint regarding McCurry's handling of the match, with their then manager, Ebbe Skovdahl claiming that his side had been denied two clear penalties. A very controversial challenge by Fernando Ricksen on Aberdeen's Darren Young also resulted in no action being taken.[6] On 9 November 2002, then Hibernian manager Bobby Williamson alleged that McCurry had failed to award his side a clear penalty, again in a game against Rangers.[7] On 11 December 2004, McCurry was criticised by then Dundee F.C. manager Jim Duffy for his handling of a game between his team and Rangers. Duffy alleged that McCurry had given a penalty in favour of Rangers that should not have been awarded.[8] On 2 January 2007, then Motherwell F.C. manager Maurice Malpas alleged that McCurry had made errors that gave Rangers an advantage in a match against his team.[9] On 30 January 2008, McCurry refereed a Scottish League Cup Semi Final between Heart of Midlothian F.C. and Rangers at Hampden Park. Barry Ferguson scored the first Rangers goal in a 2-0 victory. The goal was allowed to stand, despite Ferguson having controlled the ball with his arm prior to kicking it into the net,[10] as then acting Hearts head coach Stephen Frail observed after the match.[11]
The Scottish media also reported allegations of infidelity in McCurry's private life.[12]
Religious Controversy
Last Thursday McCurry resigned from his position as Associate Pastor of Moss Bank Baptist Church to pursue a career in worshipping Satan (more formally known as Sir David Murray in Scotland).
McCurry commented that although he was previously a Protestant Minister he said his latest career move would not be all that different. "I am happy to worship my dark Lord Ian Paisley. He is the one and only Beelzebub. He will help us indoctrinate young impressionable Protestant boys into the Church of Satan leading eventually into rampant sectarian belief and violent anti-Catholic behavior."
References
- ^ Mosspark Baptist Church - Glasgow - Our Pastors
- ^ Mike McCurry Profile at The Scottish Football Association
- ^ BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Dundee Utd | McCurry admits to Ibrox mistakes
- ^ Gordon Smith attacks 'unfair' Levein as ref McCurry explains decisions - Edinburgh Evening News 12 May 2008
- ^ BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Dundee Utd | Levein find for referee outburst
- ^ Daily Telegraph 15 November 2000
- ^ BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Hibernian | Hibs boss to explain criticism
- ^ BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Dundee | Dundee boss rues 'soft' penalty
- ^ BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Motherwell | Malpas says Prso conned referee
- ^ BBC SPORT | Football | Scottish Cups | Rangers 2-0 Hearts
- ^ BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Hearts | Frail points to Ferguson handball
- ^ Love Rat Referee Mike McCurry sells his home - Sunday Mail 10 August 2008