SFA vow to do ´everything´ to avert ref strike

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.

Peat, using a prepared statement to give the SFA’s first public reaction since the strike was announced, said: “We do not condone the strike but we must sympathise with the grievances of the referees.”

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.”

Peat, asked about Reid’s comments, replied: “We haven’t even discussed that but the comments certainly weren’t helpful.

“I don’t want to personalise this, I’m just talking about comments which have been made recently which have not helped.”

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.

“We have a contract with the Scottish Premier League to provide referees and, if we are unable to come to an agreement before the weekend, we will obviously have to look at other areas which could include that.”

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.

Referes may also think again about striking this weekend if there is a clampdown on post-match criticism.

SPL managers introduced a self-imposed silence on referees in December 2008, but this was eroded over time.