Scottish referees have responded furiously to reports this morning suggesting that Celtic are seeking to bring in foreign officials to take charge of top-flight matches, as reported by The Daily Record.
Outlets such as BBC Scotland informed us this morning that after a heated meeting between SFA officials and representatives of all 12 Scottish Premiership clubs, radical solutions are being sought to revolutionise the disciplinary process in Scottish football, including the use of foreign refs.
However, a union representing Scottish officials has reacted furiously.
As quoted by The Daily Record, Prospect Scottish Football Referees’ negotiations officer Ian Perth said:
If there is substance to today’s media reports the Scottish Football Association are in talks with clubs about introducing overseas based officials, it’s another appalling development.
Everyone involved agrees that the professionalism and standards in many areas of Scottish football needs to be driven up.
At present the association continues to refuse to afford referees basic ‘worker’ status as they carry out their vital duties.
The SFA has refused to respond to our calls to address serious health and safety concerns in recent months, and this is another potentially serious development.
We will seek that the SFA urgently clarifies its position on this matter.
In my view, it seems quite clear that the refs laying the groundwork and ramping up towards taking extreme action such as a referees’ strike.
Officials in this country of course have previous for that.
Back in November 2010, the top whistlers in the country sat out of fixtures for one weekend after the ‘Dougie Dougie’ scandal at Tannadice.
They will clearly not entertain the idea of bringing in foreign refs to improve the standard of refereeing in this country as it will break up their old pals act and show them up for the incompetents they are.
With Celtic now the public bogeyman they will ramp up the pressure if any more criticism comes their way and use that as their excuse to play the victim.
It all seems very predictable.