The Kingston and St. Andrew (KSAFA) referees are now expected to return to football pitches following a fruitful meeting with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) yesterday.

The officials withdrew their services last week following what they described as troubling trends, especially over the last couple of weeks. In addition to facing an apparent increase in violence at matches, the men in the middle also had an issue with the timely payment of fees by competition organisers.

Two recent incidents saw referees officiating in Corporate Area games suffer not only verbal and physical abuse, but even had some personal property damaged. At the Maverley Park Complex last Thursday, a player was ejected and it is reported that he not only verbally abused the official in charge, but after leaving the field, proceeded to slash the tyres of the referee's vehicle.

In another match three weeks ago, this time in the Masters League, it is alleged that a Waterhouse player physically assaulted an official during a game.

A compromise reached at the meeting will now see home clubs responsible for providing a specified and secured parking area for the vehicles of referees. In addition to this measure, four team officials, two from the home team and two from the away team, will be provided as liaison officers to the team of referees.

In regards to the timely payment of fees a decision has been taken which will see competition organisers work very closely with the Jamaica Football Referees Association (JFRA) to aid in timely and improved payments being made to referees.