UEFA: Scottish dispute is domestic

UEFA on Monday insisted they would not become involved in the threatened strike action by Scottish referees.

Some Clydesdale Bank Premier League clubs were hoping that the European governing body would step in to help if, as expected, Scotland's leading referees confirm industrial action this weekend in protest at the levels of abuse. It has been reported that Celtic hope the strike leads to an independent investigation and UEFA intervention.

The Glasgow club have refused to comment but UEFA said they would not become involved in the dispute and a UEFA spokesman said: "This is a purely domestic matter."

There have been suggestions that UEFA and the English Premier League would be approached if the strike action was confirmed, which would see a blank weekend for Scottish football.

But it is understood the Premier League do not have sufficient numbers of officials themselves to offer elsewhere, while UEFA referees are all drawn from individual associations.

All 31 of the category one officials who were present at a meeting of the Scottish Senior Referees Association on Sunday - two others were absent - voted in favour of refusing appointments for the coming weekend.

They were unanimously supported by 10 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 and, although they accept criticism comes with the job, they have acted in a bid to stop one of their number coming under physical attack.

They are adamant they will not take charge of games, forcing the likely postponement of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and Scottish Football League cards.