Scottish FA bring in Polish refs as cover for strike

Regan was forced into action after Scotland's category one referees confirmed they would withdraw their labour for one weekend.

However, after four days of making contingency plans, the SFA confirmed that all six games in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the three scheduled Scottish Cup replays and Sunday's ALBA Challenge Cup final will go ahead as planned, as well as the Irn-Bru First Division match between Morton and Falkirk.

The Israeli and Polish football federations have confirmed they plan to send officials with countries such as Portugal and Malta also reportedly co-operating.

"We have gone all across the UEFA area," Regan said.

"I don't think the nationalities are an issue. What is important is that they are FIFA-listed, category one referees of the highest standard in their own countries and they are more than capable of refereeing in Scotland this weekend and have received SPL approval.

"But certainly every UEFA organisation was on our list."

Asked specifically about Portugal and Polish referees coming, Regan replied: "I can confirm that they are on the list of UEFA nationalities that we have looked at.

"I don't have the list of exactly who is going where and where they have come from."

It is believed that the cost of bringing in officials to cover the 11 matches will be around 30,000.

However, a blank weekend, with the loss of two televised games, Dundee United versus Rangers and Motherwell's home match against Hearts, could have cost the SFA more than 200,000.

"There will be costs involved with flights, hotels and so on," Regan admitted.

"But the priority has been about fulfilling the fixtures for the benefit of fans, the media and sponsors and I'm delighted that I have been able to fulfil so many matches this week."

Regan added: "In the last six or seven hours we have managed to secure the services of FIFA-listed officials, from a variety of countries across the UEFA region.

"They all have experience of refereeing at the highest level," he said.

"There is a number of countries involved across the UEFA region and we are confident that we have the right quality and the right numbers on board.

"It's been busy day and I haven't personally got involved in selecting the referees for specific matches.

"We have left that to the referee administration team, added the former Yorkshire Cricket Club chief executive, who left his post at Headingley earlier this year to move north of the border.