Referees will be finally stripped of the power to uphold their own decisions in the Scottish Football Association disciplinary process next season if a radical revamp of the system gets the go-ahead.
SFA chief executive Gordon Smith on Wednesday revealed a draft proposal for the overhaul of the under-fire procedures was set to be submitted to the organisation's board for approval.
Press Association Sport understands these proposals include the establishing of a three-strong appeals panel, which would decide whether to reject or uphold a referee's original verdict for claims of wrongful dismissal.
This is similar to the system currently operating in England and it is understood the panel could be made up of a member of the SFA's referee development department, a former player and an ex-manager.
Match officials will still have an input but they will no longer be able to veto any appeal.
The new proposals will also recommend reducing the time it takes for any disciplinary investigation, with a number of cases having dragged on for months in the past.
Smith, who on Friday dismissed calls for match referees to be removed from the disciplinary process altogether, said: "Further to my statement on Friday, and in light of recent comment, I can confirm that draft proposals have been made with regard to improving the disciplinary procedures.
"These proposals - which the Scottish FA have been working on for some time - will be submitted to the board for approval with a view to being implemented for the start of next season.
"I will reiterate my comments of Friday that I am in favour of streamlining and harmonising the disciplinary procedures.
"I am confident these proposals will be ratified and I am pleased that other organisations share my views on improving the current procedures."
Source: PA
