{"id":47801,"title":"RefShout on Abuse of Referees - \"Clubs should have zero-tolerance\"","description":"To find out about the state of refereeing, we spoke to Michael Bewick from RefShout. An anti abuse campaign created by referees, for referees.","content":"

The sport of football never fails to get people talking. And one constant talking point is refereeing. It\u2019s normally about contentious decisions in the Premier League or EFL. Or perhaps more recently it\u2019s VAR that\u2019s taken centre-stage in many discussions about the state of the game.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

One thing that arguably should be talked about more often is the treatment of referees, especially at grassroots level. We\u2019ve all seen it, we\u2019ve all heard it. And if you\u2019re involved in Sunday league football then you probably hear it every weekend. Unfortunately it\u2019s almost become part of the background noise of every game and not many would even bat an eyelid at it.<\/span><\/p>

This has to stop and we reckon it\u2019s time for a rethink. Remember, referees at amateur level are rarely making a living from it. They are humans and they make mistakes. Many of them will have no assistants or anyone running the line to lend them a hand. None of them have VAR. If the rest of us make an honest mistake at work, we don\u2019t expect to be abused or sworn at, so why should they? And remember, if there\u2019s no ref, there\u2019s no game.<\/span><\/p>

To get the views of one of the men in the middle, we got in touch with Michael Bewick who is a level 7 referee in the North East of England. He also founded <\/span>RefShout<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/a>, an anti-abuse campaign created by referees, for referees. He wants all of those involved in football to speak up when they hear abuse.<\/span><\/p>

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Where does the abuse of referees stem from?<\/strong><\/h2>

\u201cThe main issue facing us referees is the modern professional game, seen predominantly in the Premier League. There is a stigma against referees that if a decision goes the wrong way it\u2019s all hell on. And sadly this is passed down to the lowest level of which is grassroots which in hindsight makes the referees decision making extremely difficult. That\u2019s not just because players are taking on that stigma, it\u2019s the parents and sadly some coaches.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>

It is becoming a bigger problem and the consequences for abusing referees are little to none, in my personal opinion. These issues are sadly cutting our referee population and are stopping those who had planned on becoming a match official.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Why don\u2019t we see this in other sports?<\/strong><\/h2>

\u201cThere are higher sanctions and repercussions in other sports. In rugby, if you disrespect an official that\u2019s an automatic sin-bin for 10 minutes. In football we have seen this sin-bin approach but I feel officials are too hesitant to send someone off as they have to face the coaches and players afterwards.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>

From a coaching point, in rugby they are already away from the field of play in a control box so they are unable to hinder the referee. In football it is practically impossible for this to happen due to the history of the game, and then sadly the fourth official has to have an earful every game.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Another factor of why you do not see this in rugby is because clubs place focus around respecting decisions and officials, and especially from a young age.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>

What\u2019s the solution?<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>

\u201cThose who are guilty of abusing referees should be banned for a certain term depending on the severity. And governing bodies should create a stronger campaign describing the consequences of their actions. Clubs should have zero-tolerance to any abuse, and if they do not uphold that policy then action should be taken.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>

The FA are taking steps but these steps are small and still so far from the ideal playing situation.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>

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Massive thanks to Michael for taking the time to chat to us about the current state of play with refereeing. Follow his campaign on Twitter <\/span>@Ref_Shout<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>

And remember, if you\u2019re witness to anything that oversteps the line at your game this weekend,\u00a0 as Michael says \u2013 <\/span>\u201chear it, experience it, report it\u201d<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>

Be part of the solution, not the problem.<\/span><\/p>","urlTitle":"refshout-referee-abuse","url":"\/blog\/refshout-referee-abuse\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/refshout-referee-abuse\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/kitlocker.com\/blog\/refshout-referee-abuse\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1743083564,"updatedAt":1743083729,"publishedAt":1743083729,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":356097,"name":"Kitlocker"},"tags":[{"id":3901,"code":"football","name":"Football","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/football\/"}],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/lllmzh6d4vfexpuhd5uookvkn1tygbgrffgy1l3detm5wbnx.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/lllmzh6d4vfexpuhd5uookvkn1tygbgrffgy1l3detm5wbnx.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/lllmzh6d4vfexpuhd5uookvkn1tygbgrffgy1l3detm5wbnx.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"RefShout on Abuse of Referees - \"Zero-tolerance\"","metaDescription":"To find out about the state of refereeing, we spoke to Michael Bewick from RefShout. An anti abuse campaign created by referees, for referees.","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":46965,"title":"How To Wash Football Shirts","url":"\/blog\/how-to-wash-football-shirts\/","urlTitle":"how-to-wash-football-shirts","division":356097,"description":"We tell you how to wash football shirts in order to keep both the shirt and the printing in good condition. Trust us, we know football shirts!","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/en0io6diwxwaqem6uqqklzju0dmoiems8a2pdj63v23od8rg.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/en0io6diwxwaqem6uqqklzju0dmoiems8a2pdj63v23od8rg.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":47604,"title":"Why #PowerUp?","url":"\/blog\/why-powerup\/","urlTitle":"why-powerup","division":356097,"description":"The return of grassroots football is edging closer. Many of you will be thinking about your match kit options for next season.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/lpm5e5csenm6ty3c9ybtsc9q6qzxtgwggtxti6f490abipqn.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/lpm5e5csenm6ty3c9ybtsc9q6qzxtgwggtxti6f490abipqn.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":47607,"title":"Which Variation of Football is Right for You?","url":"\/blog\/which-variation-of-football-is-right-for-you\/","urlTitle":"which-variation-of-football-is-right-for-you","division":356097,"description":"Looking to get back into the beautiful game? Maybe you're completely new to football. Read our guide on the different variations and how to get involved.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/dwybizr1ufz9gtxgxkisikdnzfcellmyx6jhxpbeqnrgrevk.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/dwybizr1ufz9gtxgxkisikdnzfcellmyx6jhxpbeqnrgrevk.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}