NSW push to ban abusive sideline fans, parents from all sport levels

A plan to stamp out physical attacks and verbal abuse at local and kids sports matches could see offenders banned for life from everything from grassroots grounds to top-level stadiums.

Referee Khodr Yaghi, right, had his jaw broken when attacked by a spectator at a soccer match.

Violent and abusive behaviour at local and children’s sporting matches could see parents and spectators slapped with lifetime bans across all levels of the game, including stadiums and grassroots sporting grounds, under radical plans being considered to crack down on thugs who abuse referees.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the proposal is among options being considered by NSW Sports Minister Steve Kamper, who has vowed to stamp out physical attacks and serious verbal abuse violence against volunteers.

It could mean that a parent who severely abuses or physically attacks a referee at their child’s weekend sports game could face being banned from matches at all levels of the sport, including NRL, A-League or AFL matches, up to and including the grand final.

Mr Kamper has also called for “sanctions” against teams who allow suspended individuals to still be involved.

While nothing is yet confirmed, all options are on the table when it comes to new rules and penalties, and all sporting codes are expected to be included in discussions about new rules.

Adam Abdullah was charged over the brutal assault of referee Khodr Yaghi. Picture: Supplied

Greenacre Eagles Football Club, Abdullah’s club, withdrew from the entire soccer competition after the referee attack.

One proposal being considered is to ban spectators who severely abuse referees in one sport from attending matches in all other codes as well.

It comes after Bankstown District Amateur Football Association (BDAFA) referee Khodr Yaghi was punched and kicked last month at a weekend soccer match in Sydney’s southwest.

Mr Yaghi was hospitalised following the attack, and last week underwent surgery to repair a fractured jaw and three missing teeth.

Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, met with the injured referee last weekend. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Amateur boxer Adam Abdallah, 25, was charged with affray and wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm over the incident.

He is yet to enter a plea and remains before the courts.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Mr Kamper met with Mr Yaghi for two hours on Sunday to talk about ways to clean up community sport.

“As the Sports Minister I will be working with the sports sector to respond, including introducing tougher sanctions against abusive and violent behaviour in sport,” Mr Kamper writes in the Telegraph today.

“This may include lifetime bans for individuals across all sporting codes and all government venues – from the Under 6As through to the A-League Final,” he says.

“We also need sanctions against teams and clubs where individuals are allowed to continue to be involved while suspended.”

Mr Kamper is set to consult sporting codes across all levels to discuss what could work to stop violent perpetrators.

“We should always remember that without our volunteers, grassroots sport is not possible,” he said.

Mr Yaghi’s Football Association last week introduced a spate of hard-line measures to keep officials safe, including a trial of body cameras on the League’s Premier League referees.

Under the rules, team officials and spectators have been banned from approaching referees regarding a decision during the match. Offenders will be given a red card and the match would be abandoned.