SPL's view: 'Simply calling a strike the wrong way to go about it'

SCOTTISH Premier League chief executive Neil Doncaster last night backed the SFA's contingency plans to explore the possibility of hiring replacements from other associations, and expressed his disappointment that the referees had called their strike out of the blue.

"We have had no dialogue with the referees and that's one of the most disappointing things," said Doncaster. "This is a last option - we would expect it to be preceded by some conversations.

"The first thing I heard was that I got a call last night telling us there would be a strike. There is a right way to go about it and simply calling a strike is the wrong way.

"It has to be preceded by some conversations about concerns and no-one has come to us with any concerns."

Doncaster is determined that supporters are able to watch their teams play this weekend.

"My hope is the strike will be called off but, if it's not, I know the SFA have in place some contingency plans for this weekend," he said. ''What is important is that the games go ahead. We have to put supporters first.It costs a lot of money and time to follow a club and to have this inconvenience thrown in their way is very, very unfortunate indeed."

In an additional statement released by the SPL, the league's chairman Ralph Topping also expressed his disappointment at the planned action.

The SFA are contracted to supply the SPL with match officials, but the league restricted their official statement to a general appeal for calm.

• Online poll: Are Scottish referees right to strike?

Topping said: "At a time when the game in Scotland faces a number of challenges, not least of all from a difficult economic climate, the prospect of games being threatened this weekend is hugely regrettable.

"Stewart Regan is in the middle of conducting his review of certain aspects of the Scottish FA and Henry McLeish is due to complete the second phase of his review of Scottish football soon and the SPL are extremely supportive of both gentlemen in their endeavours.

"However, the SFA chief executive needs to be given time and space to conduct this review away from the glare of the media spotlight.

"All of Scottish football needs, I believe, to show patience and restraint and allow this process to take place."