Abuse from parents forces referees to refuse to work at matches
Organisers have called parents "an embarrassment" after refs faced a torrent of abuse
by Jenny KirkhamJunior 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.
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."
The account then goes on to remind the parents that it is children's football.
They said: "Mike Dean on 100k a year gets numerous decisions wrong even with the help of his two linesman, 4th official and VAR but 14yr old Johnny, on his own is expected to get everything right!
"Put it into context - ITS CHILDRENS FOOTY! -#Theystartedit #therelineisworse."
The post has gained massive support from other football leagues who have experienced similar behaviour at their matches.
Crosby Stuart Girls u10's also said: "It’s important to remember... in a lot of cases there is a young person officiating these matches.
"And of these young people,some are under the age of 16, THEY ARE STILL CHILDREN themselves!
"Would you like your child being shouted at or verbally abused and for them to feel threatened."
They added: "Even when it’s not a child officiating, IT’S STILL NOT ACCEPTABLE. Let the kids play, it’s supposed to be fun for them."
Micky Onions tweeted: "My lads one who's been abused. He works hard all week out of the city, finishes the week knackered but still gets up early at the weekend to ref so kids can play football.
"No ref = no game. Remember they give up their weekends so kids can play not for grown ups to act hard."