SFA pledges support for refs

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has promised to do more to support referees in the wake of this weekend’s labour strike.

Foreign officials were drafted in to cover this weekend’s Scottish Premier League fixtures after all SPL Category One referees withdrew their labour.

The strike, which also forced the postponement of 10 Scottish Football League games, was in protest to recent criticism from numerous SPL clubs.

SFA Chief Executive Stewart Regan said the league is committed to addressing their concerns.

“We have recognised that we do need to support referees more and we have made a certain number of offers to do that,” Regan told the BBC.

“If we can put those measures in place, we can satisfy the referees that we are taking their point seriously.”

Regan added: “We will be very tough on any player who challenges or abuses referees in a way that is unacceptable.”

“There is a process in place already for dealing with anybody from any club that steps out of line. Those individuals are dealt with through the various committees that operate within the SFA and that will continue.”

“But obviously we will take a much tougher stance, going forward.”

Meanwhile, former leading referee Stuart Dougal has called on the SFA to consider docking points from clubs that go too far in criticising officials.

“Points deduction is something the Category One referees will want to talk about,” Dougal said.

“It’s one of the suggestions they’ve come up with. It would be for the protection of everybody in the game – managers and players.”

“It would set out clearly what is acceptable and what isn’t and the penalty for overstepping the mark.”

“Nobody has a problem with a manager questioning a decision a referee makes but when certain people start saying that a ref ‘couldn’t wait to give a red card against us’ or say that the ref ‘conspired against us’, then that is not right.”

“When it veers into conspiracy and innuendo, then there should be a clear sanction in place.”