Chinue blog

SFA vow to do 'everything' to avert ref strike

GLASGOW (AFP) – The Scottish Football Association (SFA) said Monday they would do "everything possible" to avoid a strike by referees that threatens to wipe out this weekend's fixture programme.

George Peat, president of the SFA -- Scottish football's governing body -- said the planned strike by the country's premier, category one officials to refuse appointments this weekend was a "sad day for Scottish football".

Peat added: "We will do everything we possibly can to broker a deal before the weekend because it's obviously important that officials are on duty on Saturday and Sunday."

If the strike goes ahead it will hit the Scottish Premier League (SPL) programme featuring Celtic's match against Inverness and leaders Rangers' visit to Dundee United.

Officials are planning a walkout over what is understood to be growing concerns about threats made to their safety as a result of decisions they have taken during matches.

"We do not condone the strike but we must sympathise with the grievances of the referees," Peat said.

This SPL season has witnessed several high-profile refereeing controversies, notably involving Dougie McDonald's handling of Celtic's 2-1 win over Dundee United last month -- during which he awarded Celtic what looked like a deserved penalty before overturning the decision after consulting with another official.

Willie Collum meanwhile received threatening phone calls after awarding Rangers a dubious penalty during their 3-1 victory at Celtic Park.

McDonald was warned by the SFA referees' committee over his failure to give an accurate report of the circumstances surrounding his decision to rescind the Celtic penalty.

Celtic chairman John Reid, a former British Government minister, said Thursday McDonald should quit or be removed by the SFA after he admitted misleading Hoops manager Neil Lennon over the penalty decision.

Lennon has also been particularly vociferous in his criticism of officials after defeats by Rangers and Hearts.

Peat, in what appeared to be a rebuke to Celtic, said: "Unfortunately the behaviour of some people in recent weeks has tarnished the image of Scottish football. It has demeaned the game.

"The culture of inference, innuendo and conspiracy theories must stop."

Talks are now set to take place this week in a bid to avert the strike, although Peat said the SFA could seek officials from outside Scotland if the referees carried out their threat.

Meanwhile SFA chief executive Stewart Regan admitted referees were now having to work in "seemingly impossible" circumstances but said a strike was not the answer.

"I have every sympathy for the refereeing fraternity at this time and completely understand why incessant scrutiny, criticism and questioning of their integrity has brought them to the brink of a withdrawal of labour," Regan said.

"I cannot, however, condone what will amount to strike action and believe we must now engage in positive dialogue to avert the possibility that we will have no football this weekend," added Regan, who is reviewing certain aspects of the way the SFA operates.

Regan added: "In the meantime, I reiterate my support to the referees in this country, who provide a fantastic service in very difficult -- and now seemingly impossible -- circumstances."

SPL chief executive Ralph Topping said the prospect of games being threatened by a referees strike was "hugely regrettable" and urged Regan be allowed to carry out his review "away from the glare of the media spotlight".

The current situation has revived memories of a similar dispute in 2008 when SPL referees threatened to strike over pay but withdrew the threat when a review was set up to study their demands.