Scotland's category one officials are understood to have voted to refuse appointments for this weekend's fixtures following a meeting on Sunday. The referees decided to take a stand against perceived attacks on their personal integrity.

Match officials have dominated the Scottish football agenda since Dougie McDonald rescinded a penalty he initially awarded to Celtic during their 2-1 Clydesdale Bank Premier League victory at Dundee United on October 17.

Former SPL referee Stuart Dougal told Sky Sports News: "My understanding is it was unanimous. It's not against any criticism over the peaceful fans generally, nor managers and players coming out after a match and putting a point across.

"What's got to referees is the level of abuse, the intensity of the criticism and of the scrutiny. A number of referees have aired concern about safety and that is something they have decided they cannot take any longer.

"My understanding is there are referees who believe, not only their own personal safety, but that of their family (is at risk) as well: when it gets to that level it is unacceptable."

Dougal added: "The last six weeks there probably hasn't been a day go by when there hasn't been a referee's story and it has gone beyond one or two decisions on the pitch, it's become innuendo and that in turns fuels certain views.

"The phone-ins and the like are all contributing to making the life of a referee very, very uncomfortable.

"It must be difficult for people who don't fully understand what it is to be a referee, the commitment they give, their absolute dedication. To find all their efforts and their work undermined by managers and directors and players and the press constantly - not just criticising but going beyond that - not just in the last six weeks but over the last year or so.

"The referees have decided enough is enough and I agree with them."

The SFA, who assign match officials to their games on a Monday, have not yet commented on the development.