Bobby Madden claims Willie Collum has ‘not had a positive impact’ and insists Scottish referees are KILLING the game

FORMER top Scottish referee Bobby Madden reckons officials in the country are KILLING the game. And he claims it's down to how our refs are being coached to approach matches. Former Fifa-listed whistler Madden, 47, was one of Scotland's top…

The Scottish Sun

Published: Monday, 26 October 2026 at 10:33 AM

Key Things to Know

Bobby Madden claims Willie Collum has not had a positive impact as SFA Head of Refereeing.
Madden argues Scottish officials are killing matches by constantly awarding soft free-kicks.
Willie Collum took charge of Scottish refereeing in July 2024 following his on-field retirement.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Former Scottish referee Bobby Madden has criticized Scottish FA Head of Refereeing Willie Collum, claiming officials are "killing the game" by halting play too frequently. Speaking on the podcast "So Near, Yet So VAR," Madden argued that Collum has not had a positive impact since taking the leadership role in July 2024. He alleged that current officials are being coached into a "safe refereeing" approach that results in excessive stoppages for soft fouls.

Co-host and former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg agreed that matches are being stifled by officiating decisions. Clattenburg suggested that Collum would benefit from bringing in additional coaches to help develop referees and provide secondary opinions, rather than dictating individual in-game management styles. The Scottish Sun reported that it has contacted the Scottish FA for comment regarding the remarks.

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