A former Scottish referee blamed a culture of nepotism, cronyism and bullying for a decision to hang up his whistle after 13 years.

Derek Crothers was serving as a Category Three Specialist Assistant Referee when he resigned at the end of last season.

Claiming Scottish refereeing is in crisis after whistlers like Andrew Dallas were fast-tracked beyond their ability, the 36-year-old sent a withering resignation letter to the governing body last May, claiming he received over 50 supportive emails from fellow officials.

Former official Derek Crothers spent 13 years as a referee within the Scottish football system

The SFA last night refuted the claims, insisting referees are 'selected purely on their ability'.

Yet, speaking out after a number of high-profile, bewildering decisions involving the likes of Willie Collum, Dallas and John Beaton this season, Crothers told Sportsmail: 'Scottish refereeing is in crisis. The key issue is that guys are not getting to the top level on merit.

'The FIFA-level referees in Scotland have had a very bad season.

'The Lanarkshire Referees Association I am a member of used to feel like being part of a family. We were there to support each other. It's not like that now.

'If referees don't attend training they don't get games. There are bullying tactics employed.

'Guys used to go to training because it was good camaraderie and a chance to discuss your game at the weekend.

'Getting guys to go to training now is all about bullying. If you don't come, you don't get a game next weekend.

'They can't do that. Referees have to want to be involved of their own free will.'

Crothers blamed cronyism, nepotism and bullying for his decision to walk away from the game

Repeatedly overlooked for promotion to Category One Premiership level, Crothers was demoted to Category Three and decided to call it quits after an email exchange when he couldn't attend a training day during the Beast From The East weather front last March.

A former member of the Lanarkshire referees' executive committee, Crothers believes that a refereeing 'dream team' of Dallas, John Beaton, Alan Mulvanny and Frank Connor receive favoured treatment.

'Hugh Dallas is now second in command with the UEFA referees,' he continued.

'If the SFA put their nominations to UEFA, it's Hugh Dallas who is in a position to influence those positions.

'And it's no coincidence that John Beaton, Frank Connor and Alan Mulvanny are all friends of Andrew Dallas. And all four are FIFA officials.

'In my opinion, they have not been appointed to that level through ability.

'If you position yourself with the right person you have a good chance of making it in Scottish refereeing.'

Crothers felt the likes of Andrew Dallas benefitted from knowing the right people

An SFA spokesman last night denied claims of nepotism and cronyism, insisting referees are promoted purely on merit, saying: 'Referee performances are reviewed on an ongoing basis and they will move up and down the categories accordingly.

'Indeed, over the last five years there has been a 47-per-cent turnover in Category One officials.

'All of our match officials are graded and selected purely on their ability through a robust and defined process, governed by the Referee committee.'

John Beaton was also singled out by Crothers after several strange, high-profile decisions

Refuting any suggestion he is a disgruntled former employee of the SFA, and angry at being snubbed for promotion, Crothers added: 'If I was simply a disgruntled ex-referee I'd have said all this a lot sooner.

'I resigned in May and I'd have said all this in June, July or August. The feedback I got from my fellow referees was positive.

'Willie Collum and Craig Thomson were both encouraging to me.

'I know other guys who were involved for 20 and 30 years who are walking away now.

'And, in my opinion, it's down to bully-boy tactics.

'If I was going to make it in refereeing, I would want to do it via ability and ability alone. I don't want to make it through a friendship of convenience or scratching the right backs.

'For one or two of these guys, being attached to the right person is akin to a meal ticket.'