Referees boycott Darwin Olympic after spectator abuse

Football Federation NT referee boss Albert Karause has said abuse by Darwin Olympic spectators against referees was the worst he had seen in his years in the sport and was behind their decision to boycott the team’s games.

Darwin Olympic captain Ross Tsounias playing against Palmerston Rovers in May. Picture: Lou Reeves

SPECTATOR abuse has forced a refereeing crisis in Darwin soccer with Football Federation NT match officials refusing to control Premier League matches involving Darwin Olympic.

Referees boss Albert Karause told the NT News his members had felt threatened and unsafe during and after a Premier League match involving Olympic and Mindil Aces.

Karause alleges three Olympic fans had come down from the grandstand with the purpose of confronting match officials soon after the match concluded.

Darwin Olympic goalkeeper Kane McAdam dives to his right to make a spectacular penalty save in a FFA Cup classic in late June. Picture: Lou Reeve

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“Walking off the park, we got to the sideline and could not get to the referees change room, a distance of about five metres,’’ he said.

“We had three spectators come downstairs, two of which were restrained and held back from reaching any officials and probably 15-plus spectators in the grandstand yelling abuse down at us.

“We also had two young people under 16 years of age and a female official in the referees room who were abused.’’

Darwin Olympic president Charlie Kathopoulis said the abuse was not a good look.

“But in this case the officials have chosen for their own safety not to referee any matches involving Darwin Olympic, due entirely to the behaviour of their spectators,’’ he said.

“We’ve put that in place for two weeks and we’ll see what happens after that when we will reconvene and discuss the situation further.

“My primary concern and sole responsibility in this case is the safety of all officials controlling football matches in Darwin.

“What happened was the worst case of spectator abuse I have seen in 11 years of refereeing in the States and Territories I have officiated in.’’

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Olympic president Charlie Kathopoulis said his club was still in the discussion stage and was trying to work out exactly what had happened on the night in question.

“We want to fix this situation as soon as we can and since it was brought to my attention I have tried to get all the facts right before proceeding,’’ he added.

“We have got an FFA Cup game on Wednesday night and it is true that this is not a good look for the football club.’’

In a twist, the FFA Cup clash between Olympic and NSW club Edgeworth in Darwin next week will be controlled by referees from Football Federation Australia.