Officials stamp of disapproval

By Kenny Archer

The past month in the Northern Irish top flight has been about winning and winless streaks on the pitches - but there might be no matches to report on at all in a few weeks' time after the Northern Ireland Referees' Association declared its members would strike.

Proposed strike
Northern Ireland's referees are threatening to take industrial action from 15 January if their demands are not met regarding levels of pay, shortage of officials, and the level of physical and verbal assaults on referees. The proposed date for withdrawal of their services would threaten the fifth round of the Irish Cup.

'No idle threat'
Referees' spokesman David Malcolm said: "This is no idle threat. We are together on this. Obviously we don't want it to happen but we feel let down by our own national association and believe action must be taken to show how badly we feel.

Violent assaults
"It is not just about money - it is a whole package," he added. "We want the [Irish Football Association] IFA to put together a plan to tackle the growing assaults on referees in the province. Refereeing in Northern Ireland has never been so unappealing and have never known my colleagues so demoralised."

Official response
IFA president Jim Boyce stressed that "this issue was discussed at the last meeting of the Executive Committee and we take it very seriously. It is now entirely in the hands of our IFA referees' committee."

Big game
Meanwhile, in the Northern Irish Premier Division, Glentoran FC's winning streak has now extended to eleven games in a row to leave them six points ahead of their arch-rivals Linfield FC at the top of the table. The two sides meet in the traditional 'Big Two' Boxing Day match at Windsor Park. However, that match will actually take place on 27 December, as Sunday football is still not allowed in Northern Ireland.

Success at last
At the other end of the table, the number 13 proved lucky for Omagh Town FC as the Tyrone team ended their wait for a first league victory this season with a 1-0 win at Institute FC in their 13th match in the competition.