Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson wants managers and officials to meet and discuss their differences in a bid to end the referee row which has engulfed Scottish football. Thompson is worried for the future of refereeing in Scotland, calling for an end to the blame culture and greater levels of respect, while also seeking greater accountability for officials.

Thompson told BBC Scotland: "I think there needs to be a proper discussion between the top referees and the managers of clubs.

"I think they should get around the table again - it's been done before, pre-season, maybe we don't do it often enough - and let everyone air their views and be honest, listen to each other and try and move forward.

"We need each other at the end of the day."

A resolution must be found to avoid longer-term problems, according to Thompson.

He added: "I think the important thing now is that we get games played, that's what we're here for, to play football, and without referees we don't have a game.

"This is driving referees away from the game. That's a bigger problem long term - why should anybody come into the game? Why should a kid take up being a referee?

"We're going to end up with a problem five, 10 years from now." The SFA are exploring the possibility of parachuting in officials from abroad.

Thompson added: "If it's not resolved we're looking at foreign referees, which I think is a shame for our game.

"I'd like to see Scottish referees doing Scottish football."