Referee strike could cause Scots wipeout this weekend

All 32 Grade One referees are to strike this weekend after several weeks of relentless criticism which has compromised their own safety and that of their families due to public reaction.

Waddell, who refereed for 25 years at the top level, believes those involved have simply reached breaking point.

"I totally understand where they're coming from. I expressed my concerns in the Evening News some two weeks ago, saying that the way people were behaving would not encourage new referees to come into the trade," he said.

"Clearly, whatever people's perceptions are, the referees feel they are being accused of incompetence, bias, partisanship towards clubs and religious leanings. None of them would ever recognise this in their own performances.

"When you are being accused like that there comes a point where, rightly or wrongly, you just get fed up with the whole thing. I think that's exactly the position they've reached now."

Waddell implored both the SFA and the SPL to investigate the feeling within the refereeing fraternity and take decisive action.

"If I was either body, I would be looking to find out what has caused a very dedicated bunch of guys to take what is unusual and extreme actions," he said. "We aren't talking about minor irritation here because I believe it was a unanimous decision amongst the referees to strike.

"That's not like them. There is deep discontent and people need to pay attention to it. There will be people saying they are prima donnas and all the rest of it. I was inside the officiating system for 25 years and I know this is not an action people would take lightly."

It is understood that all 31 of the 33 category one officials who were present at a meeting of the Scottish Senior Referees Association yesterday voted in favour of refusing appointments for the coming weekend.

They were unanimously supported by ten category two officials at the organisation's first monthly meeting since October 17 - when Dougie McDonald's decision to rescind a penalty he had awarded to Celtic against Dundee United heralded weeks of controversy. Some referees reported facing abuse in the street and seeing their families come under strain, while police are said to have been called over some incidents. Abusive emails have been sent to referees' workplaces, embroiling their colleagues in the backlash.

Referees feel that calls for calm have not been heeded.

They are adamant they will not take charge of games, forcing the likely postponement of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League - including Hibs' home match with St Johnstone and Hearts' trip to Motherwell on Sunday - and Scottish Football League cards.

The ALBA Challenge Cup final between Ross County and Queen of the South, plus three Scottish Cup third-round replays, may also have to be rescheduled.

Celtic have remained at the centre of controversy since McDonald's U-turn, writing to the Scottish Football Association seeking clarification over that incident and Willie Collum's decision to award Rangers a penalty at Parkhead. The Old Firm referee later received threatening phone calls.

Manager Neil Lennon faces possible Scottish Football Association sanctions over his criticism of Craig Thomson after being sent to the stand during a 2-0 defeat by Hearts.

Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas launched a scathing attack on standards and warned they could be a "cover for bias and match-fixing" but other clubs and managers have refrained from any form of criticism in a bid to ease the pressure.

Motherwell manager Craig Brown remained silent on dubious decisions which went against his team during defeats by Hamilton and Hibernian, but he is opposed to the action with Hearts due to visit Fir Park on Sunday. "It's a radical course of action, a step too far," Brown said.