Referees in Cardiff reveal shocking threats and abuse they face on the pitch
The Cardiff Referees’ Society, with 76 members, even boycotted matches last November after a referee was assaulted. Now, some referees are sharing their stories and thoughts on how to improve the situation for future officials.
A survey by the Football Association of Wales found that one in four referees has faced physical abuse, while a staggering 88% reported verbal abuse. Joseph Smart, who has been refereeing for 20 years, says he’s seen it all. Even though he can choose his matches now, he still gets threatened regularly.
He recalls a time when a player got so angry he threatened to slash his car tires. It’s not just him; threats often extend to family members too. One time, a guy got right in his face and said he was going to kill him. Thankfully, someone stopped him, but it left Joseph shaken.
Lloyd Griffiths, another referee with over 20 years of experience, feels vulnerable when he shows up to games alone, especially when there are rowdy crowds. He remembers a game he had to abandon because the away team was drinking and started threatening him. They told him, “Get in that car and you’re dead.” Luckily, the other team helped protect him.
Both Joseph and Lloyd agree that the behavior of players and fans has worsened over the years. They think some of this bad behavior comes from what younger players see on TV. If they see stars yelling at referees, they think it’s okay to do the same.
However, it’s not all bad news. John Fish from the Cardiff Referees’ Society says that while serious incidents happen, most games go off without a hitch. He’s noticed improvements in some areas, like a decrease in racist abuse.
New referees like Catrin Asbrey are also feeling the pressure. She’s just starting out and finds the aggressive behavior from sidelines really tough. She believes more mentoring could help new referees build confidence.
Mr. Griffiths is part of a mentoring program that supports new referees, especially young women. He wishes the Football Association of Wales would invest more in these initiatives.
The FAW has been working with local associations to support referees and has introduced measures to tackle abuse. They’ve seen some success, with a significant reduction in dissent and abuse during trial leagues.
While the South Wales Football Association was contacted for comment, they didn’t respond.
