SCOTTISH football stakeholders have heavily criticised the leadership of the national game's governing bodies.

The majority of 16,000 fans taking part in the Scottish Football Supporters Association poll were ‘very dissatisfied’ with the running of the Scottish FA and SPFL.

Players, managers and referees also took part in the survey but made up just one per cent of the respondents.

The ‘lack of trust and honesty’ in the governing bodies could see more than 60 per cent of fans lose interest in the national game over the next few years.

Results between different sets of fans were very similar, the SFSA confirmed, with the ‘major difference’ being that Rangers fans are ‘dissatisfied’ whereas Celtic supporters are ‘very dissatisfied’.

In a damning verdict of both bodies, they were rated worse than UEFA and FIFA for trust, honesty and transparency.

Other findings showed that 90 per cent wanted the Scottish government to put pressure on the authorities to improve, 93 per cent believe the game should be overseen by an independent watchdog and more than 90 per cent want more supporter influence.

Former first minister and SFSA board member Henry McLeish, who led a review of the Scottish game in 2010, said: “This challenging independent research into how Scottish football governance is seen has uncovered some very concerning issues, but also provides a real opportunity for change.

"The fact that over 60% of fans say that they could end up leaving the game in the future rings a major alarm bell, as does the knowledge that almost a quarter say they never attend away games.

"What we appear to have is a big disconnect between the football authorities at Hampden Park and those who are essential to the flourishing of the game at a hands-on - supporters certainly, but also players, coaches, managers and volunteers."