Scottish football has been rocked by an extraordinary development after six clubs joined forces to issue a rare joint statement expressing a loss of confidence in Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney.
St Mirren, Motherwell, Hearts, St Johnstone, Hibernian and Aberdeen have united over what they describe as growing concerns about the integrity of officiating in Scottish football.
The clubs say their concerns go beyond individual refereeing mistakes. They argue that a series of controversial decisions, unresolved officiating cases and complaints submitted to the relevant authorities have created a serious lack of confidence among clubs and supporters.
According to the six clubs, repeated petitions and complaints concerning major decisions, particularly those involving Celtic, have not received satisfactory answers. They insist that Scottish football needs a system in which every major officiating decision can be properly examined and independently scrutinised.
Their decision to release a combined statement has immediately attracted enormous attention because clubs traditionally raise such concerns individually rather than presenting a united front against the country’s football governing body.
The clubs also insist that their position should not be interpreted as an attack on Celtic themselves. Instead, they say the issue is about ensuring that every club competing in Scottish football is treated equally.
They believe that accountability must apply regardless of the identity or size of the club involved.
The statement then delivered its strongest message yet, with all six clubs calling for a change in leadership.
THE JOINT STATEMENT
“We, St Mirren Football Club, Motherwell Football Club, Heart of Midlothian Football Club, St Johnstone Football Club, Hibernian Football Club and Aberdeen Football Club, issue this joint statement because we believe the current situation surrounding officiating in Scottish football can no longer be ignored.
“Our position is not based upon one match, one decision or one isolated refereeing incident. It is based upon a growing number of cases, complaints and petitions submitted by clubs and supporters, many of which have failed to receive the transparency and explanation that Scottish football deserves.
“We recognise that referees are human and that mistakes will inevitably occur in football. However, when serious concerns are raised about major decisions, there must be a credible, independent and transparent process through which those concerns can be investigated and answered.
“We no longer believe that the existing system provides sufficient confidence that this is happening consistently.
“Our concerns have become particularly serious regarding incidents and decisions involving Celtic. We are not suggesting that Celtic should be treated differently from any other club. We believe the opposite. Every club must be treated equally, and every major officiating decision must be capable of being independently scrutinised without fear or favour.
“We have seen complaints and petitions raised over decisions that have generated serious questions among supporters, players and clubs. The continued absence of satisfactory answers has only increased frustration and damaged confidence.
“We therefore call for an urgent review of the structures responsible for refereeing, VAR oversight, complaints and disciplinary procedures within Scottish football.
“We also believe that the leadership of the Scottish Football Association must accept responsibility when confidence in these structures falls to such a level.
“For this reason, we declare that we have lost confidence in the leadership of Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney and believe he should step down from his position.
“This is not a statement against Scottish football. It is a statement in defence of Scottish football.
“We want supporters to believe in the integrity of our competitions, players to believe that decisions are being judged fairly, and every club to know that legitimate concerns will be heard and properly investigated.
“Scottish football deserves transparency, accountability and equality.
“Our clubs remain committed to competing fairly on the pitch, but fairness must begin with confidence in the structures governing the game.”
The joint statement has immediately intensified an already heated debate around Scottish refereeing.
The most controversial aspect is the direct reference to Celtic. While the six clubs insist that their complaint is about the system rather than the Glasgow giants, the timing has inevitably led to accusations that the clubs are attempting to challenge Celtic’s dominance before the new season develops.
Celtic supporters have responded angrily, with sections of the fanbase accusing the six clubs of being “losers” and suggesting that their complaints are motivated by fear of Celtic winning more silverware.
Celtic Fans’ Reactions
@CallumFraser:
“Six clubs joining forces because Celtic are winning trophies again 😂. Imagine being this obsessed with another club. Absolute losers.”
@EwanMcLeod:
“This is embarrassing stuff. If you want to beat Celtic, do it on the pitch instead of crying about referees. 🤣”
@RossMacDonald:
“St Mirren, Motherwell, Hearts, St Johnstone, Hibs and Aberdeen forming an alliance against Celtic 😂. This is comedy gold.”
@JamieCampbell:
“Blaming Celtic because you can’t compete is the easiest excuse in Scottish football. Win your games and stop whining.”
@LiamStewart:
“Six clubs and one common enemy: Celtic. 😂 Rent free doesn’t even begin to describe it.”
@FraserMurray:
“Calling yourselves six clubs united while sounding like six teams terrified of Celtic winning another trophy. Absolutely pathetic.”
Some supporters have questioned why the clubs have chosen to unite now, particularly with expectations already growing that Celtic could once again be among the leading contenders for the major Scottish trophies during the 2026/27 campaign.
The rival clubs, however, maintain that their position has nothing to do with Celtic’s ability on the pitch.
Their argument is that Scottish football cannot maintain credibility if clubs lose faith in the mechanisms responsible for reviewing controversial officiating decisions.
The controversy also comes against a backdrop of previous disputes involving Scottish clubs and the governing authorities.
Motherwell, for example, has faced disciplinary action connected to its social-media activity following a match against Celtic, while Hearts have previously challenged the handling of controversial decisions involving Celtic.
Those disputes have contributed to a wider conversation about refereeing standards, VAR and the way Scottish football handles complaints from clubs.
The latest statement therefore threatens to push that debate to another level.
If the six clubs maintain their position, pressure could now build on the Scottish FA to provide detailed answers regarding the complaints they have raised and explain how officiating decisions are reviewed.
For Scottish football, the issue is bigger than one referee, one match or one club.
It is now about trust. With the 2026/27 season underway and Celtic once again expected to challenge for domestic honours, every major refereeing decision involving the champions or any of their closest rivals will likely face intense scrutiny.
The six-club statement has made one thing clear: the debate over officiating in Scottish football is far from over.
