The opening fixtures of the Scottish Premier League season this weekend could be delayed because of a pay dispute between the SPL and the referees’ union.

Referees are reportedly asking for a new deal worth £1,000 a match, up from £575 a game last season. The league have offered a 3% rise and sources within the Scottish Senior Football Referees Association are threatening to strike in response.

The chairman of the SSFRA, Stuart Dougal, has said he is reluctant to recommend strike action if demands aren’t met by the SPL today, but refused to rule it out after meetings with the SPL yesterday failed to produce a breakthrough. “This does not mean we are not prepared to be as strong as it takes to get a successful resolution,” he wrote in an email to members.

Other referees are being more outspoken. “The SPL are not taking us seriously and are in for a real shock, which I’m sure Setanta with their big bucks will not be happy about,” one told the Daily Record. ”Be prepared. Unless the SPL have a major rethink of fees, Saturday’s fixtures are in doubt.”

An SPL spokesman said: “A series of discussions have taken place and we expect the matter to be resolved soon.”

The SPL kicks off this Saturday, with Rangers travelling to Falkirk at 12:30pm.

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