Scottish refs´ chief investigated over Pope email

The Scottish Football Association confirmed on Wednesday that they have launched an investigation into allegations that referees’ chief Hugh Dallas sent an offensive email about Pope Benedict XVI.

A newspaper report last weekend claimed the SFA’s head of referee development had used his work email account to forward on a “tasteless message” about the Pope’s recent visit to Glasgow.

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan confirmed he launched a probe into the allegations and stressed he would not condone such actions.

In a statement, he said: “I can confirm I have looked into the circulation of the email reported in the media at the weekend.

“Let me state categorically that I do not condone the transmission of any email content that might cause offence to anyone.

“I have spoken with staff and the matter will now be dealt with internally, in line with the Scottish FA’s Information Systems Acceptable Use Policy.”