Hearts star Eggert Jonsson will welcome foreign refs

Hearts midfielder Eggert Jonsson would have no complaint if a foreign referee took charge of Sunday's encounter with Motherwell at Fir Park.

• Jonsson: no complaints

He said today that criticism of Scotland's officials has reached unacceptable levels.

The Scottish Football Association are busily attempting to recruit referees from abroad to compensate for this weekend's planned strike by domestic officials. Grade One referees voted not to fulfil their obligations in protest at criticism from clubs and the public of late.

That leaves the SFA scouring the continent for deputies. Countries such as Ireland, Wales and the Scandinavian nations, where domestic football is currently in winter shutdown, could provide experienced officials at short notice.

Jonsson, from Iceland, stressed there should be no issue with referees from outside Scotland taking charge this weekend.

"It would just be like a normal game. It's the same rules all over the world," he said. "Over the last few weeks I think it's all gone a bit over the top with the whole thing. Everyone makes mistakes, including players, managers, referees and everyone in life.

"Whatever the situation is, it has to be resolved because it can't continue like this, especially if it's going to effect the league. They do a hard job and a lot of people are looking at what they do - cameras and stuff like that. Maybe a little mistake can be a big mistake if it's on the telly.

"It's a hard job they have and I have respect for what they do. Whatever they decide to do, there is not much we can do about it. In the end they're all human like everyone else."