‘Immediate attention’: Eastern league urges clubs to stamp out umpire abuse, poor crowd behaviour

A spike in umpire abuse has prompted one of Melbourne’s largest local football leagues to issue an impassioned plea to its participants.

A spike in umpire abuse and poor crowd behaviour has prompted one of Melbourne’s largest local football leagues to issue an impassioned plea to its participants.

In a letter to clubs on May 19, Eastern Football Netball League CEO Jy Bond reported the competition had become aware of “numerous behavioural incidents over the past weeks that require immediate attention”.

Both junior and senior umpires had been targeted by spectators and coaches, while opposing sets of supporters had also clashed.

“Recently, the league has seen several incidents of abuse towards senior and junior umpires from spectators and coaches and poor behaviour from the crowds between opposing club supporters,” Bond wrote, adding most had conducted themselves in an “exemplary” manner at matches this season.

“Some cases of abuse have been targeted at our younger aged umpires, who like junior players are developing and require support and encouragement.

“Importantly our umpires are an integral part of our league and must be treated as so.”

The league is tasked with filling more than 330 umpiring appointments for junior matches each Sunday, according to the EFL Umpires’ Association 2022 annual report.

Bond added “any form of abuse cannot be tolerated by the league”.

“(It) should be addressed by the club management on the day. If necessary, serious concerns should be reported to the EFNL for further action,” he wrote.

“Our clubs must ensure all members of their teams and supporters conduct themselves in a manner that is inclusive and welcoming and provides support for umpires, players and supporters alike.”

The Eastern league has been contacted for further comment.