SOCCER:FURTHER CHAOS has struck Scotland's fixture list after Portuguese referees brought in to cover for striking Scottish officials returned home. The Portuguese FA confirmed two referees had set off yesterday morning but they left Scotland soon after arriving.
Portuguese referees had been due to take charge of Hibernian’s home clash against St Johnstone today and tomorrow’s contest between Motherwell and Hearts.
However, SFA officials are continuing to work on the assumption all six SPL matches will still go ahead. A Motherwell spokesman said: “Portuguese officials scheduled to take charge of our game on Sunday have gone home. The club have been given assurances by the SFA the game will still go ahead. They are working furiously to ensure no game will come under threat.”
Earlier, the SFA announced Luxembourg referee Alain Hamer will take charge of both Rangers and Celtic’s fixtures this weekend. The official, who sent off Gary Caldwell during Scotland’s 4-0 World Cup qualifying defeat by Norway last year, will take charge as Celtic host Inverness today, before heading to Dundee United where Rangers are the visitors tomorrow. In today’s other action, Israel’s Meir Levy will take charge of Hamilton v St Mirren and his compatriot Eli Hacrom will referee Kilmarnock v Aberdeen. Malta’s Christian Lautier will referee Beith v Airdrie United in the Scottish Cup today, with another Maltese, Marco Borg, taking the Challenge Cup final between Queen of the South and Ross County.
Yesterday the Polish Football Association pulled out of a deal to replace striking officials citing domestic football commitments. The likelihood is, though, the Poles became fully aware of the referees’ reasons for striking: their upset at high levels of external abuse and the questioning of their integrity.
