League of Ireland referees across the Premier and First Division delayed kick-offs for five minutes in protest at the FAI's league department.
Match officials threatened strike action ahead of tonight's round of fixtures and kick-offs across the board were delayed for five minutes.
Referee safety is among the concerns, though pay, as had been earlier suggested, is not one of the issues at the heart of the strike action.
Referee representatives had been seeking a meeting with the FAI since January, but the association has not responded to their request.
FAI referee manager Ian Stokes left his post at the end of February and the FAI is believed to have invited the referees in for a meeting next week to discuss their concerns.
RTÉ soccer correspondent @corktod outlines hy there will be a delay to kick-off tonight as referees across the Premier and First Division protest over a number of issues, notably safety concerns📺 Watch @shelsfc v @bfcdublin live on @rte2 and @rteplayer👉 https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 pic.twitter.com/tI3BEloQFp
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 12, 2024
Last Friday, SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division leaders Shelbourne saw their 2-2 draw at Drogheda United temporarily paused after a linesman was struck by an object thrown from the away supporters' section.
The FAI's Independent Disciplinary Committee subsequently imposed a ban on Shelbourne supporters from attending next week's away fixture, a trip to Eamonn Deacy Park to take on Galway United.
That disturbance followed a recent flashpoint at Richmond Park when a Bohemians player was struck by a flare thrown from the stand where his own side's supporters were congregated during a fixture at St Patrick's Athletic.
Bohs fans were subsequently banned from attending a fixture at Drogheda United.
