Scotland's category one officials are understood to have voted to refuse appointments for the upcoming round of fixtures following a meeting today.

Referees have become increasingly concerned for their safety, and that of their families, in the wake of criticism from a number of quarters amid what they claim are slights on their character.

Match officials have dominated the Scottish football agenda since Dougie McDonald rescinded a penalty he initially awarded to Celtic during their 2-1 Clydesdale Bank Premier League victory at Dundee United on October 17.

Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan, who launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding McDonald's decision, later announced plans to launch a "respect" campaign towards match officials.

But former SPL referee Stuart Dougal tonight claimed that match officials had overwhelmingly supported the idea to withdraw their labour.

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 referees 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."

McDonald was warned by the SFA referee's committee after he admitted lying to his superiors and Celtic manager Neil Lennon over his U-turn.

McDonald initially claimed assistant Steven Craven had alerted him to his error when in fact he had immediately realised his mistake. Craven resigned from the top-flight game days after the match amid accusations of bullying against his SFA bosses, allegations strenuously denied by Hugh Dallas, the head of referees development.

But Celtic have since been involved in several more disputes with match officials. As they had done over McDonald's decision, they wrote to the SFA seeking clarification over a penalty awarded to Rangers at Parkhead by Willie Collum, who later received threatening phone calls.

Gary Hooper, the player at the centre of the Tannadice penalty, later speculated that some referees might give decisions against Celtic because they are one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Lennon then hit out at Craig Thomson after being sent to the stand during a 2-0 defeat by Hearts, also criticising his decision to dismiss Joe Ledley and deny Celtic a strong penalty claim.

The Celtic boss faces possible SFA punishment over his comments, which included a remark that Thomson and his officials would have a story prepared already if he asked them for clarification.

Celtic chairman John Reid further fuelled the flames on Thursday by calling for McDonald to resign or be removed, and suggesting that the SFA consider an idea to force referees to declare any allegiances. Other clubs have also been vocal in their criticism, notably Hearts, whose director Sergejus Fedotovas claimed low standards and refusal to explain decisions could be used as a "cover for bias and match-fixing".

Referees held their meeting today on the back of Sunday newspaper reports that most of them had failed an SFA test on the laws of the game.

However, many SPL managers have stopped all criticism of officials in recent weeks, with the likes of Kilmarnock boss Mixu Paatelainen and Hamilton's Billy Reid warning that the game risked losing good referees.

Motherwell boss Craig Brown refused to comment at all on two controversial incidents during recent defeats against Hamilton and Hibernian while there was a distinct lack of criticism from managers this weekend.

The only signs of dissent came when Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee described Rory McArdle's red card as "debatable" and St Mirren manager Danny Lennon disputed a yellow card for Michael Higdon, but he agreed his striker was to blame for his later red card.

But match officials had already made up their minds and next week's SPL card, which features Rangers' trip to Dundee United, is now in doubt.

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

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It is understood the SFA have been verbally informed of the referees' decision, which will be officially confirmed tomorrow.

Press Association Sport understands all 41 of the category one and two officials who were present at the scheduled monthly meeting of the Scottish Senior Referees Association voted unanimously in favour of the action.

Their previous meeting was on October 17, the day of Celtic's Tannadice clash, so referees were able to discuss for the first time the impact of the heightened attention surrounding their performances.

Some reported facing abuse in the street and seeing their families come under strain, while police are said to have been called over some incidents. Abusive emails have been sent to referees' places of work, embroiling their colleagues in the backlash.

Referees feel calls for calm have not been heeded and, although they accept criticism comes with the job, they feel recent incidents away from the pitch have gone too far.

Rather than quit the game altogether they hope one weekend of action will force the message home. They are adamant they will not take charge of games next weekend, thus forcing the likely postponement of the full Clydesdale Bank Premier League and Scottish Football League card.