Former World Cup referee Dallas said the meeting was successful and hopes the focus returns to the football and away from the men in the middle.

He said: "The referees have an important role to play and although people say the best referees are the ones that aren't seen, I think those days are gone because of the media coverage.

"From that point of view, all we ask is that the referees get the big decisions right.

"We have a good crew who they are an honest bunch but they make mistakes.

"However, there has to be an understanding that they will make mistakes and that the mistakes have got to be accepted.

"They asked if referees are accountable and we explained how they are accountable.

"There is an observer system and we analyse their marks at the end of the season and that decides where they will be placed the following season.

"But we are not going to hang any referee out to dry, that's not what we are designed for.

"Let's not forget, we've had the first two weeks of the season and we have looked at some magnificent games of football."

Dallas added: "I've got to say it was a very positive meeting.

"All clubs were represented, which is encouraging from our point of view that there is a willingness from the clubs to sit down and discuss matters.

"The main thing on the agenda was to discuss the pre-season guidelines that we gave to our referees so that the players are aware of what referees are trying to achieve from Saturday to Saturday.

"We showed them a dozen various clips, from dissent to elbowing to confrontation and even the treatment of injuries and how referees will handle that.

"Everyone left the meeting in a positive way.

"I think they took on board what we were trying to say, I think they understand that the referees have a job to do.

"As long as there is an understanding that both sides respect each other then we will be halfway there."