Ex-Scots Tory chief makes return to SPFL refereeing after years of flak from political rivals
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EX-TORY leader Douglas Ross is making his return to professional refereeing after years of flak from political rivals.
He will run the line professionally on Saturday at Forfar Athletic versus Stirling Albion in League 2, his first outing since suffering torn ankle ligaments a year ago.
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Douglas Ross is returning to the SPFL following time out with injury
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The Tory MSP will stand down at the next Holyrood election
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The Highlands and Islands MSP has spent a year on the touchlines after injuring himself, but recently ramped up training after failing to win his seat at last summer's General Election.
And he passed his official refereeing test last Thursday after testing himself out on youth games and in junior football while keeping his planned return under his hat.
Mr Ross was previously widely mocked for triple-jobbing as an MSP, MP and linesman while he led the Scottish Conservatives.
Opponents last night had a fresh pop at his footie comeback.
The SNP's George Adam said: 'The public must blow the final whistle on the Tories at this election. It seems Douglas Ross is getting subbed off early in anticipation.'
And a Scottish Lib Dem spokesman joked: 'Very sensible for Douglas Ross to be planning for life without two of his three jobs.'
Mr Ross has already run the line in the Highland League at Buckie Thistle v Keith this month and at Formartine United v Brechin City in March.
He faced attacks from political rivals after missing a 2017 Commons vote to run the line at a Champions League match in Barcelona.
And in 2021 he reported himself to Westminster's standards watchdog after it emerged he had failed to declare his income from his MSP and refereeing gigs.
He told The Scottish Sun said: 'I'm delighted to receive my first SPFL appointment in almost a year.
Douglas Ross silences SNP ministers over their bumper pay rise
'It's taken longer than I expected to get back from an injury after I tore ligaments at the end of last season, but I'm really grateful for the support I've received from the Scottish FA referees department and my local association.
'I've missed the constructive feedback I always get from spectators on a Saturday afternoon - so I'm looking forward to hearing that again!'
Mr Ross has said he will quit Holyrood at the next election to seek a return to Westminster in 2029.
Last February, the Scottish Sun revealed how Premiership gaffers claim to back him politically in a tongue-in-cheek way to push for favourable decisions during matches.
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