Luck of the draw
Thursday, November 1, 2007 
As a Dundee United supporter since 1969 (when my family moved to Scotland) I was naturally interested to see who we had drawn in the semi-final of what I still call the Scottish League Cup. The answer? Hearts. (Not bad, I thought, considering that we beat them 3-1 at Tynecastle two weeks ago. However, since we have also beaten the other semi-finalists, Rangers and Aberdeen, in the league this season, I wasn't especially fussed who we played.)
Anyway, when I got home this evening I read that there had been a mistake. Instead of playing Hearts, United will face Aberdeen, while Hearts will play Rangers. According to the BBC website:
Scottish Parliament presiding officer Alex Fergusson mixed up the numbers, and miscalled the ties when the four balls were drawn. "This was a genuine error and I can only apologise for the confusion caused," said Mr Fergusson ... First Minister Alex Salmond helped make the draw, televised live at lunchtime on BBC Scotland.
Whoever said sport and politics don't mix was right. Story HERE.
Simon Clark
I am currently listening to Five Live's Midday News. The Scottish Football League is denying all responsibility and putting the blame firmly on the Presiding Officer who - it is implied - may have been guilty of personal vanity for removing his glasses for the draw which was broadcast live on television! My favourite quote, however, is still that of United chairman Eddie Thompson. Thompson told the BBC: "It's a total farce ... It was a member of the media who contacted me long before I heard from the SFL and I thought he was off his head." I'm not sure why Eddie was so surprised. Look at it this way: Scottish Parliament, Presiding Officer, balls. I rest my case.
Simon Clark
Incredibly, it now emerges that "[Scottish] Government rules meant control had to be handed over by the SFL as [the draw] was being held at the Scottish Parliament". According to SFL president Brown McMaster, "There's a strange rule at the Scottish Government that, when you have something held at the Scottish Parliament, they have got to control it, they have got to introduce it and the Presiding Officer has got to be the man." You couldn't make it up. More HERE.
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