The Scottish Premier League (SPL) are meeting the Scottish Referees’ Association (SRA) today in a bid to avert a referees strike that is threatening the opening round of the new season in Scotland.

The new season is due to kick off this Saturday at 12.30 BST with Falkirk entertaining Rangers.

The SRA met with SPL officials yesterday, but ended with no agreement, although both parties are hopeful of resolving the issue today (Tuesday).

Scottish referees are paid a set fee of £575 per game and have been promised an extra £25, but they are holding out for £800 per match to come into line with other European countries.

English Premier league referees are paid a retainer of £33,000 plus £300 per match in fees.

Former Scottish referee Kenny Clark says that it’s not about the money particularly, but more about the pressure that officials  are under in the modern game.

It is fair to say that referees are generally under more pressure than ever these days, something that the English FA are very aware of with the launch of their pre-season respect the ref campaign.  The Euro 2008 tournament showed how games could be played with the minimum amount of diving, play acting, shirt pulling and general gamesmanship that we have come to expect in the UK, I am hoping for more of the same in the SPL and EPL this season.

So lets give the officials the rewards they deserve and we may all feel much better for it come the end of the season.