The Malta Football Referees Association said it is prepared to order its members to strike after deadlines for the revision of fees were ignored.

Two deadlines were dated January 2019 and February 2019, and a third one, 1 April, were snubbed by the Malta Football Association, the MFRA said.

The MFRA Committee has consulted with many of its members, including several referees forming part of the elite group as well as several referees from lower divisions, and has decided to call a strike

The strike will commence on Friday 5 April from 4 pm onwards, and  every affiliated referee with the MFRA is being instructed not to referee any "football appointments" issued by the MFA.

This directive will remain in force until the MFRA issues a counter directive revoking this strike.

Meanwhile, it seems that yesterday the MFA called a super urgent meeting with the appointed mediators who are representing the MFRA in these negotiations and there appears to be a form of verbal compromise If this is put in writing the MFRA will revisit this directive, the MFRA said.

In a statement, the Malta Football Association said that, at the time of writing, the association has not been officially informed of the strike action ordered by the MFRA other than through the media release issued by the same organisation.

The Malta FA said it strongly disagrees with the position taken by the MFRA, moreso in light of the on-going discussions with a group of match officials over the revision of match fees and other matters related to the overall conditions of match officials at all levels.

These discussions have been very positive to the point that the parties have agreed in principle on all points following the latest in a series of cordial meetings, held on Tuesday evening.

Another meeting with these match officials is scheduled for tomorrow.

In such matters, the Malta FA structures and procedures must be respected at all times, the MFA said. Such agreement would be subject to the scrutiny and approval of the Executive Committee which is due to meet on Thursday, 11 April, 2019.

The Malta FA said it is taking this matter extremely seriously. While reminding all parties of their sporting and legal obligations, the Malta FA reserves the right to take action to safeguard not only the interests of the same Association and its clubs but also the integrity of the game.