Fleming was a category one referee in Scotland and Europe

John Fleming has been promoted by the Scottish Football Association to the head of referee development post previously filled by Hugh Dallas.

Fleming, who had been referee development officer under Dallas, has been carrying out the role since his boss was sacked in November.

Dallas left after being accused of sending a tasteless email at work.

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said of Fleming: "His impact since taking the role has been substantial."

Dallas was sacked following an internal investigation into a satirical email sent from his SFA account when the Pope visited Scotland on 16 September.

The Catholic Church had called for his departure should he be found guilty of sending what it viewed as a tasteless message.

I have received a number of positive comments from the refereeing fraternity and also from his colleagues within the Scottish FA SFA chief executive Stewart Regan

Dallas had already been under pressure from Celtic, who had been angered by referee Dougie McDonald's decision to overturn his own award of a penalty against Dundee United on 17 October.

Assistant Steven Craven resigned as a result of the furore, accusing Dallas of bullying and saying that he also had not seen eye to eye with Fleming.

Following an SFA investigation into the decision at Tannadice and a strike by Scotland's category one officials, Regan announced there would be an overhaul of the referee development system at the SFA.

And, despite calls from some quarters for a foreigner to be appointed, the chief executive believes that Fleming is the right man to lead those changes.

"John brings a wealth of experience in refereeing and in the development and education sides of the game," said Regan in an SFA statement.

"He also has a wide of experience of working in business.

"His role will be pivotal to the new Scottish FA strategic plan.

"I have received a number of positive comments from the refereeing fraternity and also from his colleagues within the Scottish FA and I am convinced he will be an asset to the organisation."

Fleming was appointed to category one status in 1994 and performed as a Fifa assistant referee from 1994 to 1997, gaining what the SFA describes as "a vast array of experience in the European arena".

He has been actively involved in refereeing for nearly 30 years and has played a major part in promoting the role of football referees, instructors and observers throughout Scotland in his previous post of referee development officer.

Fleming added: "I am immensely proud and grateful to have been given this opportunity.

"There are a number of exciting initiatives on the horizon both for the Scottish FA and the referee development department and it is my intention to help facilitate positive changes to benefit the referee fraternity and the game in general."

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