CROKE PARK CHIEFS say they will meet with Revenue in a bid to resolve an issue on referee match payments.

Longford GAA refs last night voted to withdraw their services in a reaction to efforts to streamline payments in line with official rules.

The proposed changes would see refs in the county receive a mere €20 for refereeing a club game.

The move to standardise payments comes following discussions between the GAA and Revenue Commissioners. One of the proposals being considered would see match officials paid a flat rate of €13.71 for subsistence plus 50 cents a mile in travel expenses, considerably less than the €40 which many receive at present.

The Association have this evening moved to bring the impasse to an end however.

“The GAA can confirm that further talks will take place with Revenue on the procedures for the taxation, if any, of referee match payments,” an official statement reads. “In the meantime, the GAA’s existing arrangements for payments to referees will apply.”

Referees in Wexford also voted to strike after discussing the new guidelines on Sunday evening, the Irish Independent reported today.

- additional reporting Niall Kelly

Neighbourly relations: Shine eyeing Longford scalp