COMMENT: An endless cycle of abuse towards referees that won’t stop until problem clubs get tougher

Young referees are abused by players, managers or parents, local leagues quite rightly get angry, the media take up the story with gusto and there is indignation all around.

But nothing else happens and nothing ever changes. What happened a couple of Sundays ago will happen again next season. It might even happen again this season. There’s still time.

It was quite the statement from the Peterborough & District Junior Alliance League following five separate incidents of abuse and aggravation torwards officials, some of whom were aged just 14.

It was passionate and well-intentioned. It was also no doubt well-received by the vast majority of clubs who respect officials.

Sadly the ugly minority will always make the most noise and yet make no connection between their sad and outrageous behaviour and a chronic referee shortage.

I’ve travelled the local football circuit as a referee for 25 years now and I’m out of advice for young officials other than trying to develop the hide of a rhino and to have the self-confidence to know you will certainly have a greater knowledge of the laws than the halfwit shouting at you from the sidelines.

It’s a problem I don’t see going away. To improve would require self-reflection and an acceptance there is another point of view/opinion to your own.

Sadly tolerance levels are at an all-time low in this country and a friendly disagreement is a thing of the past as Brexit, political elections and tribal loyalty within professional football has proved.

It’s easier to blame a referee for a defeat rather than your own little Johnny who can barely tie his shoelaces up never mind play an accurate pass over 10 yards.

The same people who would passionately defend their own kids if they were bullied or verbally abused in school or on the street think it’s okay to harangue a kid in the middle of a field because he’s given a throw-in to the other team.

Problem clubs need to become tougher and get rid of the abusers as soon as they’ve finished delivering their venemous spittle.

If it’s a player de-register him. If it’s a coach/manager sack him. If it’s a parent ban him from watching. Shame on any club who takes no action against anyone who bad mouths a 14 year-old.

Offending clubs need to be removed from competitions.

It would be a severe punishment for sure, but the kid glove treatment of small fines and short bans clearly doesn’t work. Until things change referees will drop out at a faster rate than the new ones are recruited.

It’s just a thought, but maybe the standard of refereeing at Premier League and Football League level is so poor because so much potential is driven out of the game early by loudmouth abusers.

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