PAOLO DI CANIO'S alleged claim of a Protestant conspiracy among Scotland's referees is likely to be investigated by the SFA in the new year. Celtic's Italian forward is reported to have told the magazine, Guerin Sportivo, in a taped interview that many Scottish match officials are "shameless" in their bias against Celtic and their favourable handling of Rangers.

"I like everything in Scotland except the refereeing," Di Canio is alleged to have said. "Ninety per cent of the referees are Protestant and I am playing for a Catholic club. It shouldn't matter, but it does. They are shameless."

The general purposes committee of the SFA will routinely look at what has been said in public when they meet next month and then decide whether or not to seek clarification from the player.

Di Canio could face a fine if found guilty of criticism of officials. There is no risk of the voluble Italian finding trouble today, as Celtic are idle. Their scheduled match at Raith Rovers was postponed because of international calls on Portugal's Jorge Cadete and Pierre van Hoodjonk of Holland. Di Canio is, in any case, suspended for Celtic's next match, due at Dunfermline on Tuesday.

Celtic manager Tommy Burns, has hit out over the claims against Di Canio. Burns said yesterday that he had spoken to the player about the magazine article and said: "Paolo feels his comments were taken out of context. He's well aware his fellow players, the football management team, the directors, staff and supporters of Celtic are of mixed religions.

"Paolo is disappointed with the newspaper reports as he feels they don't represent accurately his interview".