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BBC Scotland exclusive 


Fixtures in Scotland face possible postponement next weekend after Category One referees voted to strike.

Scottish match officials are upset with the avalanche of flak that has come their way this season.

BBC Scotland has learned that officials are concerned that their integrity is constantly being questioned by some clubs and individuals.

And there are increasing fears among referees over personal safety as a result of public criticism.

The decision to take strike action was reached at a referees' union meeting held on Sunday afternoon, with unanimous backing.

There are six Scottish Premier League games scheduled for next weekend. There is also a full card in the Scottish Football League.

The ALBA Challenge Cup final between Queen of the South and Ross County at McDiarmid Park is under threat, as are any Scottish Cup replays.

"Referees are at the end of their tether, and it's not just how it's impacting on them but it's the impact it's all having on their families and business lives," former referee Kenny Clark told BBC Scotland.

"Businesses in which referees are employed are being targeted by fans sending hate emails to employers saying things like, 'why are you employing this guy?'"

Celtic have voiced concerns about refereeing standards this season and last and BBC Scotland has also learned that the Glasgow club would welcome the strike.

It is understood Celtic hope that it could lead to a wider independent investigation and want Uefa to intervene in what they think is a refereeing crisis.

On Thursday, Celtic chairman John Reid called for the resignation of referee Dougie McDonald, saying "his position is completely untenable" after he was warned by the Scottish Football Association for lying about his reasons for overturning a penalty award.

In the wake of McDonald's admission of deception, SFA chief executive Stewart Regan has promised an overhaul of how referees are disciplined.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon was critical of the McDonald episode and has since questioned refereeing decisions after defeats to Rangers and Hearts.

And Celtic striker Gary Hooper caused a storm when he said the thought referees "want" to give decisions against his team because they are one of the world's big clubs.

Politicians have also been getting in on the act, with SNP sport spokesman Pete Wishart calling for referees to be forced to declare which team they support.

Clark is in no doubt that it is the pressure from Celtic that has led to the strike action.

"John Reid put the tin lid on it in terms of the meeting today," he added. "His comments have toppled the table over.

"I think what the referees are trying to do is put down a marker and saying to clubs, 'we can't continue like this or we'll end up with no referees!'

"It's only a matter of time before a referee or a member of his family is physically attacked because of how it's being whipped up. Clubs are effectively encouraging it up by what they're doing."

Motherwell are at home to Hearts on Sunday in a match that is scheduled for live television coverage and manager Craig Brown believes strike action would unfairly harm his club.

"It's a radical course of action, a step too far," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

"One of the rules of refereeing is that the non-offending team should not be penalised. I have never publicly criticised referees.

"We would lose gate money and television money if the game is called off and that revenue is vital to a club of our size."

Kilmarnock boss Mixu Paatelainen was more sympathetic, saying: "If it happens, it's disappointing. But there has been too much talk of referees and I don't think that's healthy.

"Referees feel the strain and they might be a little bit more nervous before matches than usual and that maybe affects their ability.

"Hopefully, there is a solution before the weekend but I understand how they are feeling."

BBC

The Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan will source foreign match officials to reduce the effect of a refs' strike this weekend.

In a statement from the SFA, Regan said: "Fulfilling the weekend fixture calendar is our priority."

George Peat, the SFA president, called the decision by category one referees to refuse to officiate as a "sad day for Scottish football".

Referees have voted to strike in protest at criticism from clubs.

The referees claim their personal safety is under threat, both on the pitch, and from fans following criticism over decisions made during recent matches.

Referee Dougie McDonald sparked controversy when he admitted to lying to Celtic manager Neil Lennon about how he and his assistant referee Steven Craven came to overturn a penalty decision for Celtic at Tannadice against Dundee United on 17 October

The SFA subsequently censured McDonald for his handling of the post-match administrative process, although McDonald has resisted calls, notably from Celtic, for him to resign.

As a result, some referees feel their integrity is being questioned excessively by factions within Scottish football.

Earlier on Monday, the Scottish Senior Football Referees' Association notified the SFA of their intention to strike on Saturday and Sunday, which would threaten the Scottish Premier League fixtures.

A statement from Ralph Topping, chairman of the SPL said: "the prospect of games being threatened is hugely regrettable" and asked for "patience and restraint" while the SFA chief executive Stewart Regan conducts his review of the governing body in Scotland.

The SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster told the BBC he was disappointed that the referees had voted to go on strike and said fans would be the people hardest hit, but it was vital that the weekend's matches went ahead.

BBC

The weekend Scottish Premier League programme was thrown into confusion after Portuguese officials followed Polish colleagues by returning home.

But the Scottish Football Association is insisting that all six weekend SPL matches will go ahead.

Hibernian versus St Johnstone on Saturday and Motherwell against Hearts on Sunday were due to be handled by the Portuguese officials.

They were drafted in after Scottish referees withdrew their labour.

Officials believe that their integrity is being continually questioned and, despite assurances from the SFA that it would take a firm line with critical clubs, the referees have refused to back down.

The SFA had contacted football authorities around Europe to recruit referees and their assistants.

Dutch referees had followed those in Iceland and Norway in rejecting the SFA's approach, with Irish, Welsh, Estonian and Swedish officials having indicated that they too would be unwilling to provide cover.

But, by Friday morning, it looked like the full SPL card, one in Division One, three Scottish Cup replays and the ALBA Challenge Cup final would go ahead, weather permitting.

However, the withdrawal of the Poles resulted in the postponement of the Morton versus Falkirk match, which had been chosen to go ahead by drawing lots, taking to 10 the number of games called off in the Scottish Football League.

The Scottish Cup replays between Annan and Brechin and Threave Rovers and Stenhousemuir have also been called off, though Annan's Galabank pitch had failed a pitch inspection in any case.

Poland's FA told BBC Scotland their refs were now required in their homeland, but no reasons have yet emerged about why the Portuguese left Glasgow Airport soon after touching down.