Referees plan strike in Portugal

(GSM) – Portuguese referees’ plan to strike over tax hikes has threatened to postpone the future matches of the Portuguese Liga, says Luis Guilherme, president of the Portuguese Football Referees Association.

“An overwhelming number of Portuguese referees will be unavailable during the weekend of November 6 and 7,” said Guilherme.

The action is in protest at changes in Portugal’s fiscal laws which will make referees pay social welfare contributions beginning from 2011.

“This will have grave consequences for many referees,” Guilherme said, adding that the APAF’s talks with the government are still to reach a happy conclusion.