Scottish football referees on strike over fears of being attacked

LONDON - Terrified football referees, it seems, have reached breaking point and taken the sensational step of declaring a strike over fears of being attacked for giving a decision during a particular match.

Scottish Senior Football Referee Association chairman Martin Cryans informed SFA chief executive Stewart Regan and referees’ chief Hugh Dallas of the decision last night.

According to The Sun, that could force a total shutdown of Scottish football this weekend.

One top whistler told Sun Sport: “Enough is enough. The level of criticism and abuse has gone too far. We are not prepared to put up with it any longer. Every referee has a tale about being abused in the street. Our safety has to be paramount.”

The move comes on the back of huge controversy involving referee Dougie McDonald and Celtic.

The shock decision to withdraw from the next batch of games was taken at a 90-minute meeting of all the top-flight referees on Sunday.

An insider said: “It’s not a decision which has been taken lightly but things have gone beyond a joke. It’s normal for refs and assistants to come in for criticism but some of the stuff lately has crossed the line.”

He added: “It’s reached the stage where some of the guys are looking over their shoulder when they walk down the street and that’s not on.”

Regan will now make a desperate bid to avert strike action but it appears to be too late. (ANI)