There was an in depth discussion on these forums when Stranraer Athletic and Nithsdale failed to fulfill a fixture. Both teams were hammered for their actions. Last night we have another match not played but this time because no referee arrived. Apparenty the ref supposed to be in charge informed the SFA he couldn't make it by e.mail. Yes you read correct - not sure if this really is the best choice of communication with it being at such short notice.

It takes a lot of time to pull together teams for 3 games in a week and a lot of boys need to pull in favours to get time off work. Then you got travelling expenses and perhaps money to cover boys getting off work. Be interesting to see how this one is handled - lets hope whoever is responsible is dealt with in the same way as the teams who failed to turn up.

A total shambles and the type of thing you would associate with a Sunday league!

How late did he leave it to email? Did the SFA not try to appoint a sub ref if there was time? Hopefully he didnt have a family emergency when you are asking him to be hammered.......he is only one person,the two clubs couldnt field eleven from a squad maybe double that size....not sticking up for the ref cause its terrible that a game doesnt go ahead but surely we should wait to find out the details first?.....or am i being too kind?

He didn't come because of an injury picked up on Saturday apparently. Thats fair enough but the e.mail was sent on either Sunday or Monday I believe - with it being so close to the game itself an e.mail was hardly a wise choice was it? Perhaps it was more the SFA's fault than the ref himself but either way an explanation ought to be given because if the shoe was on the other foot the clubs would be slated and punished.

As i said i was only looking at all the avenues............if he was injured on Saturday then he has no excuse as if you were a manager and a player picked up a knock and didnt tell you and then just didnt show up monday it would not be tollerated