Source: FOOTYMAD
Thunderbirds Are Go! F.A.B.
I am not sure if Tracy Island rexceived a call from the SFA but international resue has saved face for the SFA The SFA will be welcoming officials from across Europe and beyond who have answered their call to save 11 senior games this weekend. Scottish referees refused to call off their strike despite a package of conciliatory measures from the SFA, including swifter and more severe sanctions for those who question their integrity. This meant SFA staff were busy with emails and phone calls to football associations to try to find temporary replacements to cover as many games as possible. All six SPL games, three Scottish Cup replays and Sunday's ALBA Challenge Cup final will go ahead as planned, as well as game between Morton and Falkirk. SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said: "We have managed to secure the services of FIFA-listed officials from a variety of countries across the UEFA region. They all have experience of refereeing at the highest level. There is a number of countries involved across the UEFA region and we are confident that we have the right quality and the right numbers on board. I don't think the nationalities are an issue. What is important is that they are FIFA-listed, category one referees of the highest standard in their own countries and they are more than capable of refereeing in Scotland this weekend and have received SPL approval. But certainly every UEFA organisation was on our list." This rescue mission does not come cheap with estimated costs to cover the 11 game coming in at around £30,000. However, a blank weekend, with the loss of two televised games, Dundee United versus Rangers and Motherwell's home game against Hearts, could have cost the SFA more than £200,000. Regan admitted: "There will be costs involved with flights, hotels and so on. But the priority has been about fulfilling the fixtures for the benefit of fans, the media and sponsors and I'm delighted that I have been able to fulfil so many matches this week." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is ScottishFitba Net
