Please read below a Club statement regarding referee abuse.
Dear Parents/Coaches/Spectators,
Following the increase in referee abuse at matches so far this season, we felt it was important to explain our stance on this issue, a serious issue which is damaging football and the enjoyment for all.
Please share the attached poster with any spectators that attend matches, such as family members/friends, so that they are aware of our stance regarding the increase in disgraceful referee abuse since the start of the season, particularly aimed towards our own young referees at North Leamington School, most of whom are between the ages of 14-17 and play for one of our older teams.
We are working closely with our young referees to give them all the support we possibly can, and we have organised a referee workshop with an experienced local referee next month, who will also be attending matches going forward to give further advice to them so that they can benefit from his experience.
It’s so important that we play our collective part as a club, coaches, parents/spectators and players to eliminate any abuse towards referees and any incidents will be reported to the FA and could potentially lead to the game being abandoned, as it is totally unacceptable.
Please continue to support these young referees, as they need the confidence of our support from the touchline.
They will make mistakes, and everyone has their own opinion on what is a foul or not a foul for example, however we must trust and support them fully to be the one to make the decision; even professional referees make mistakes and they have the advantage of VAR and slow motion replays.
Our code of conduct clearly states what we expect from our coaches, players and spectators representing Lillington Juniors.
If you get a chance over the coming weeks, a quick thank you or compliment to these young referees would go a very long way.
We sincerely hope all agree with the above and hope you all enjoy the games this weekend.
Many thanks,
LJFC