Attempts underway to avert match official protest at tonight's LOI series

Match officials have been asked by the FAI to avert a blanket protest of delaying kick-offs across tonight’s nine League of Ireland matches.

Clubs were informed through an FAI email at lunchtime today of a five-minute delay due to a coordinated “planned protest” by referees, assistants and fourth officials.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and will keep you updated with any further information,” concluded the email to club secretaries.

Five Premier Division games and four in the First Division are scheduled to kick-off at 7.45pm – the only exception being Shamrock Rovers against Sligo Rovers at 8pm.

RTÉ are carrying live coverage of the sold-out Dublin derby between Shelbourne and Bohemians.

It had been originally thought the widespread delay would only be apparent nearer to kick-off time but word filtered out earlier.

Pleas to abandon the action of a group who now have FAI employee status were made by their employers in the last hour – with the promise of a meeting next week to resolve – and it remains to be seen what influence this has on the threatened measure.

Conflicting reports have emerged about the source of their ire in the absence of formal comment from either party.

Friction has been ongoing for a number years over resources, not simply pay and conditions, and the recent departure of Ian Stokes as the sector’s manager at a time manpower was under discussion is believed to have heightened those tensions.

It’s also understood there’s been dissatisfaction among whistlers at the leniency of the midweek sanction imposed on Shelbourne.

The league leaders will have no away section at next week’s trip to Galway United arising from an incident where match official Dermot Broughton was struck with a