20 August 1997
Referees Inspection denies alLegations 'pressuring' officials
The Referees Inspector for Mayo has made it clear he did not put pressure on officials in the county to ignore the nationwide strike and fulfil their fixtures in the Mayo league at the weekend.
A total of eight members of the local branch made themselves available for games in the county, causing a major split in the organisation.
But Mr. Brendan Gibbons said he had no role whatsoever in ensuring that a number of games went ahead, including the Premier Division matches involving table-toppers Achill Rovers at Claremorris.
Said Mr. Gibbons: "The allegations being made against me are totally without foundation and I have consulted my solicitor.
"I did not attempt to influence any referee. The referees themselves made up their own minds on whether to back the strike or not.
"I wish to made it clear that I bear no ill feeling whatsoever to the referees who did not fulfil their appointments."
The row between the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Soccer Referees Society blew up over the introduction of the proposed Cooper Fitness Test for referees reaching the 50 age mark.
Referees in Wicklow and Dublin won countrywide support in opposing the introduction of the test.
But as many as eight members of the Mayo Referees Society decided against strike action and made themselves available for games.
Achill Rovers were delighted that their game against Claremorris went ahead.
Their 2-0 victory enabled them to open up a seven points lead at the top of the table on a day when second placed Urlaur United lost 4-3 at home to Erris United.
