Sydney kids soccer comp issues warning to abusive parents

Violent and abusive soccer parents and players have been warned by a fed up southern Sydney competition­ to stop the behaviour or be kicked out, while the mum of one teen referee won’t let him attend some grounds alone because of the behaviour of parents.

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Violent and abusive soccer parents and players have been warned to cut it out or they will be kicked out by a fed up southern Sydney competition­.

St George Football Association issued the threat after police were called over an incident at an under-7s match in which parents scuffled on the sidelines.

The association’s board said it had a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to touchline disorder and said instances of verbal and racial abuse, to opponents and referees, had got out of hand.

“High-level abuse of match officials, violent conduct, assaults between players, parents/spectator threatening behaviour, racial/cultural abuse have occurred,” a letter to all registered participants said.

“The lack of respect of the game, association and member clubs will not be condoned or ignored.”

An open letter from the St George Football Association's board of directors calling on players and crowds to clean up their act.

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The association’s letter told troublemakers there was no place for them in the game: “The game is better for your not being a participant.”

Things have come to a head after parents fought at an under-7s game at Gannons Park, Peakhurst, on May 18.

A report was made to police and both clubs involved were due to attend a peacemaking meeting on Monday night.

Association chairman Angelo Bonura said abuse of referees and out-of-control parents had been getting worse recently.

“If you go and watch an under 8s game the kids are great, whether they win or lose they remember for five minutes. Some of the parents unfortunately hold onto it a bit longer,” Mr Bonura said.

Penshurst mother Janet Grbevski with sons James, 14, and Lucas, 9. Picture: Toby Zerna

With 10,000 players and the competition growing constantly, he said retaining enough referees was a great challenge.

Penshurst mother Janet Grbevski’s son James, 14, is a referee and she said there were some grounds she refused to let him attend alone because of the behaviour of parents.

“There are certain places I would not let him go on his own … because of the reputation of a particular club in terms of the nastiness,” Ms Grbevski said.

James said sometimes players and parents got carried away.

“Fifty per cent of the time it’s the players, the other 50 per cent of the time it’s the parents,” he said.

“It’s just taking it too seriously and overreacting. It’s all about having fun, learning skills and getting better at what you love.”

Mr Bonura said parents of players new to the sport in the St George region were often at the centre of trouble because they were yet to understand the acceptable limit of sideline behaviour.

He said racial and cultural unrest was rare but did happen.

“We’ve got a cultural mix of participants. By and large we don’t have a problem on that front but one instance is one too many,” he said.

Police were called over a blow-up between parents at an under-7s soccer game.

Oatley mother Leanne Jones, whose 13-year-old son plays for All Saints Oatley West, said they had experienced problems on the field.

“It’s a very strong letter and obviously one that needed to be written,” Ms Jones said.

“There is no room on or off the field for racism or violence — our children are playing a game, as a parent you are there to spectate and support your child and his or her teammates’ efforts.”

Football NSW boss Stuart Hodge said: “Football NSW supports the actions of the St George Football Association in applying their disciplinary processes to matters relating to inappropriate behaviour.

“Football is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people across the state every weekend — we support the suspension or removal of the minority that do not behave in an appropriate manner.”