Douglas Ross Faces FIFA Investigation

Tory linesman Douglas Ross is apparently in hot water with FIFA over breaching neutrality rules by using an image of himself working as a linesman on a party leaflet endorsing him.

The complaint was sent to Fifa from the Scottish Football Supporters Association and it pertains to a leaflet sent out last month by the Tory party.

Ross has become the leader of the Scottish Tories but continues to pick up his match fees, insisting he’ll only give up the nice earner on top of his parliament wage if he becomes first minister. So basically, he has no plans to quite being a linesman.

There’s no word how much FIFA will take notice but RecordSport have confirmed the complaint has been lodged.

The paper writes: Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross faces a ban from football after he included an image of himself as a match official in a party leaflet.

World football governing body Fifa has received a complaint that the MP and part-time referee breached neutrality rules by using the image.

The complaint, lodged by a member of the Scottish Football Supporters Association, called for an investigation into the political mailshot, which was sent out to Scottish homes last month.

It could see Ross ­­– who has officiated top-flight games including international and Champions League fixtures – hit with a suspension.

The complaint said: “I want Fifa to launch an investigation and deal with this as a matter of urgency, given we are now in an election cycle in our country. This leaflet has been distributed by the political party that Mr Ross leads.

“It has been sent to households throughout Scotland and it clearly shows him using his image as a Fifa official to try to benefit himself and his organisation with this endorsement. I believe he did not use a picture using his SFA uniform as it might have questioned his right to do so.”

Celtic fans know all about Ross, with many coining the nickname ‘red, red Ross’ after he could be seen screaming down the mic during a Glasgow Derby to make sure the referee sent off Jozo Somunivic.

Ross should not be using his status as a linesman to try and garner votes, it comes down to that.

We will see if FIFA are concerned by this but there could be consequences ahead.