Jimmy Speak Out Against Loudmouths

Last updated : 15 February 2007 By Stand Free Ed

ABERDEEN manager Jimmy Calderwood has called for a standardised punishment for anyone who makes outspoken comments on football.

Calderwood was speaking in the wake of Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov's accusation in Russian magazine 'Futbol' that Rangers and Celtic "buy off players and referees".

Romanov has already faced the wrath of the Scottish Football Association after being dealt a fine, against which he is appealing, for accusing Scottish referees of bias last season.

But the Dons boss thinks simply handing out financial penalties for this type of behaviour is wrong, as managers face a touchline ban if they criticise officials.

Calderwood told TeamTalk: "I think that if managers are getting banned as well as fined for speaking out, then other people have to be banned as well.

"In the heat of the moment, you can say some things that you might regret afterwards and we have all been there.

"That is all in the game though and you are only saying it because you want to win.

"But, whoever makes those types of comments, I think we all have to be treated in the same way."