OLD Firm ref Willie Collum received chilling death threats just hours after taking charge of the powder-keg Glasgow derby on Sunday.
The shaken official answered a number of sinister phone-calls at his Lanarkshire home with the caller threatening to "go after him and his wife and children".
It's understood Collum reported the calls to the police but turned down the offer of protection outside his home. The 31-year-old outraged Celtic manager Neil Lennon by awarding Rangers a penalty in the second half of the top of the table showdown.
Last night Collum's SFA bosses confirmed that he had been the target of death threats and added that there was a sectarian undertone to the calls .
Spokesman Darryl Broadfoot said: "Willie received a number of threatening calls at his home on Sunday. night, one of which was taken by his wife .
"This kind of behaviour is abhorrent and has no place in football."
The threats comes as several top officials are believed to be considering their futures because of the intense scrutiny they are being placed under.
Linesman Steven Craven resigned yesterday after being caught up in a furore over a decision to deny Celtic a penalty at Dundee United.
Dougie McDonald, who was in charge of that game, has also told his bosses of his increasing discontent with the pressure being puton our top whistlers.
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The following messages were posted on Celtic fans' message board http://www.thehuddleboard.com/hb/ on 25/10/10
Originally Posted by bigman204
Someone phoned his house last night threatening to kill his wife and children, so he told the class today.
Originally Posted by RyzaBhoy
bang out of order to bring his wife n kids into it. hes fair game though
Originally Posted by bigman204
The police were going to stand outside his house all night but he didn't want that.
Originally Posted by TRA_GHEARR_BHOY
Thats out of order, tbf threatening to kill him would have been enough.
Originally Posted by Haywire
I hope the poofy looking **** dies. The Sun can print this. He looks like some **** you would not let watch yer kids.
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