Soccer body calls for end to abuse referees

SOCCER players have been urged to show respect for referees after 43 cases of abuse, including physical attacks, against match officials were reported to Football Federation Victoria.

FFV chief executive Peter Filopoulos has branded abuse of referees “totally unacceptable’’.

VICTORIAN soccer players have been urged to stop ­attacking referees after 43 cases of abuse towards match ­officials were reported to the game’s governing body.

Football Federation Victoria has written to players and supporters calling for a change in behaviour with 106 red cards issued for offences against ­referees this year.

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Several incidents of referees being physically assaulted have been reported, sparking an education campaign and threats of tough penalties in a bid to stop the problem.

FFV chief executive Peter Filopoulos said the “totally unacceptable’’ behaviour was one of the main challenges facing the game and “needs to stop’’.

“We want to get it down to zero incidents and so we need to have zero tolerance. We need to remind our football family from time to time that people can’t make disparaging remarks or criticise a referee’s performance from the sidelines,’’ he said.

FFV chief executive Peter Filopoulos has branded abuse of referees “totally unacceptable’’.

A message titled “Abuse of Referees — Show Some Respect’’ was recently emailed to FFV’s database of about 500,000 people to warn against intimidating or aggressive behaviour.

“Referees are an integral part of our game and they ­perform an important role and deserve to be treated with ­respect,’’ it said.

With the message was a confronting video of a soccer dad screaming abuse at a ­referee and his own son. “Abuse towards referees is not only having a negative impact on our existing experienced referees, but it is also making it difficult to attract new referees,’’ the message said.

Mr Filopoulos said the campaign was designed to confront. “We want everyone to stand up and take notice.’’

He said education workshops would also be staged at clubs and better signage installed at matches to remind everyone not to be abusive.

“We’ve got kids as young as 14 refereeing games so it’s important that we provide a safe work environment,’’ he said.

Independent tribunals decide the fate of Victorians who abuse soccer referees with lengthy bans and suspensions at their disposal.

“We’ll hand out even tougher penalties if need be,’’ he said.

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