By Chris Stonadge
REFEREES are refusing to officiate in a junior league after one of their teenage colleagues was allegedly assaulted by parents.
Bridgend Referees Society has ‘withdrawn its services’ following the incident at an under-15s match on Saturday when they say the young ref was abused, threatened and prevented from leaving the ground
In a statement posted on social media, the society said: “We have been made aware of an incident today at an under-15s game where a young referee was abused pitch-side, followed to their changing room, prevented from leaving the ground and then assaulted by parents of the losing club.
“This will not be tolerated and we feel strong action is needed.
“The matter is with the Football Association and we urge them to take strong action against those responsible.
“In the meantime, as a society collective, members have decided to withdraw their services from under-15s football until a satisfactory outcome is reached and the behaviours and attitudes towards match officials change for the better.”
Our chairperson has just come off the phone to the concerned dad of an 18 year old referee who experienced yet more abuse today #EnoughIsEnough please see below statement following today’s events @Referee_SWFA @SouthWalesFA @BPTFL19 pic.twitter.com/onJ19XtmrR
— Bridgend Referees Society (@BridgendReferee) November 27, 2021
The society says it will continue to support the 18-year-old referee and added: “This abhorrent behaviour has no place in our sport.”
As yet it’s unclear which clubs were involved in the game or where it took place.
Bridgend Referees Society declined to comment further when approached by Expo. We have also asked the Football Association of Wales and the South Wales Football Association for a response.
South Wales FA were tagged in the post, but no action has been taken against individuals yet.
The post drew condemnation from others on twitter.
“Just boot the club out of their league simple as that. Without referees football stops it’s as simple as that,” one angered Twitter user wrote.
Another messaged: “All clubs have right to complain but ONLY in proper channels. To subject a young referee to this is totally wrong and that particular team should be stopped from playing until investigation is complete.”
However one reply said that the club should not remove the team from their league because the ‘lads will suffer’, saying that only the parents should be prosecuted for their threatening behaviour.