Two Maltese FIFA referees, Chris Lautier and Marco Borg, and assistant referees Philip Agius and Joe Camilleri, will officiate matches in Scotland this weekend.

The uncertainty sparked by a referees’ strike is unlikely to halt the programme of six Premier League matches, three cup replays and the Challenge Cup final for lower league clubs as the Scottish FA confirmed that officials from Malta, Luxembourg, Portugal and Israel had accepted to offer their assistance.

The four Maltese officials, who endorsed the Malta FA’s call to take charge of matches in Scotland, were greeted by a media scrum as they landed in Glasgow yesterday. They made no comment as they were whisked away in cars by officials from the SFA.

They will control matches today and tomorrow, weather permitting, stepping in for their striking Category One refs from the SFA.

Today, Borg will be the fourth official for the SPL match between Kilmarnock and Aberdeen. Lautier, Agius and Camilleri will be in charge of the Scottish Cup third round replay between Beith and Airdrie.

Tomorrow, Borg will be the referee of the Challenge Cup final between Queen of the South and Ross County at McDiarmid Park. He will be assisted by Agius and Camilleri with Lautier acting as fourth official.

Luxembourg referee Alain Hamer will take charge of the matches involving SPL pacesetters Rangers and Celtic this weekend.

“The Scottish FA has acted quickly to put contingency plans in place,” SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster was reported as saying.

“FIFA listed or Category 1 match officials from overseas will take charge of all Premier League games this weekend. The SPL fully supports these plans.”

It is believed that the cost of flying in officials to cover the 11 matches in Scotland will be around £30,000.