Abuse from parents forces referees to refuse to work at matches

Organisers have called parents "an embarrassment" after refs faced a torrent of abuse

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Junior league referees refuse to work over abuse from parents on the sidelines

Referees are refusing to cover matches after abuse from parents on the sidelines of junior league matches.

Organisers of the Hightown Junior Football League took to Twitter to slam parents who have hurled abuse at match officials in the past.

They claim the behaviour has resulted in 11 referees making themselves unavailable for fear of being yelled at or confronted.

Parents are also being told to think before they speak and to call out others who are shouting abuse during the children's games.

Referees are refusing to cover matches due to the abuse

On their account, Hightown Junior Football League said: "We have had 11 referees make themselves unavailable this weekend, a few due to abuse from sidelines.

"If you stand on a line this week and your team give some stick think what if that was my child getting abuse.

"If you are the one giving stick - grow up you’re an embarrassment

"If you hear it and do nothing to stop it your [sic] equally culpable.


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"They are not professionals and don’t portray to be... It’s easy to shout and complain when your stood with a Bovril and bacon butty.

"I personally will be handing out whistles to those who can obviously do a much better job."