Nearly 30 referees were assaulted by players or spectators on football fields in the Black Country and Birmingham last season, it has been revealed.
One referee was also attacked by a spectator at a youth match as part of a ‘worrying’ trend for bad behaviour on the sidelines.
The disciplinary report released by the Birmingham FA this week for the 2006/07 season shows lack of control by players on our parks and pitches is on the increase.
It shows 27 match officials were assaulted, an increase of seven on the year before.
Across the region nearly 20,000 players received yellow cards, an increase of nearly 3,000 since the 2003/04 season.
There were also 863 players sent off over the course of the season, an increase of 158 on the season before.
The figures show 83 matches had to be abandoned across the region last season, nearly 30 up on the season before.
And charges for official misconduct are also up to 283 from 248 the season before.
Birmingham FA discipline secretary Mike Fellows said in his report one of the more worrying trends was an increase in misconduct by spectators at youth games.
Mr Fellows reported that of the 127 clubs charged with failing to control their fans, 66 per cent of those were playing in youth or childrens football.
He described it as a “total unacceptable increase”.
“What is more disturbing is the fact that six of those charges were in the under-12s age group, which also included a spectator assaulting an adult referee,” Mr Fellows added.
“A further 11 charges were in the under-11s and under-13s age groups. There is also a significant increase in the under-7s to under-10s mini-soccer, with 12 cases reported.”
Mr Fellows warned: “Clubs are responsible for the conduct of their spectators.
“If a club do have a poor disciplinary record they can expect substantive fines and the imposing of suspended punishments.”
5 Comments
In my opinion the supporters should take more action themselves. How many thousands of fans are there? Plenty to make an arrest.
People should realise that without a ref there is no game. The refs should boycott the teams who assault the refs untill these teams and players are permanently removed from the game.
Having viewed one game when one of the away suppoters took excepted to a home father’s remarks which
brought them to blows. I asked the home team manager why he did nt call the pollice, his reply will stay with me for thr rest of life - The league look unkidely on these incidents and are best forgotten. These where 12 - 13 year olds playing - what better way to show them how to conduct themselves?? This game was played some 20 years ago in Essington Village. Does this this sad behaviour still continue today? More for Community police to ride their bikes around?
I have played in games though where poor officiating has resulted in problems between players and supporters.
Violent teams and supporters should be banned from pitches and leagues, while steps should also be taken to get rid of inadequate officials at all levels of the game!
I am a sunday league football player and have been for the past 7 years. I have had many rows with referees in my time, some of them my fault but most of them were down to the referee being plain ignorant and unreasonable. Dont get me wrong, i dont condone any violence towards an official, but the players need protection from the referees also. For example, if i get a unfair yellow card, i have to pay a fine. I can appeal, but that will also cost me more money, and if i fail in my appeal (which 9/10 i will) i will have to pay the fine and the appeal money. Also there are a few refs who turn up to games looking for a power trip and look to cause a spark from a certain player. I know this is true as i have been a victim of it myself. However VIOLENCE TOWARDS A REFEREE MUST NOT HAPPEN!!