When the shinty season gets going next month, volunteer match assessors appointed by the game’s ruling body, the Camanachd Association, will attend the games. Graham Cormack of the Camanachd Association has told the press that the growing culture of bad behaviour and, in particular, the abuse of referees by players and fans, will not be tolerated. There has also allegedly been racist abuse of one of Scotland’s international players.

Last year there were instances of respected referees quitting the game in disgust at the behaviour beginning to make its presence felt – including Calum Duff. He left after having to run a bad-tempered game between Newtonmore and Fort William for which the national press reported that Newtonmore was penalised by the Association.

The volunteer match assessors will not be paid but will receive expenses. Their reports will be put together by the Camanachd Association to create a picture of the state of the game today and lead to the development of strategy to keep the game clear of the sort of behaviour other sports have found so damaging.