The North Dublin Schoolboys/girls League (NDSL) has postponed all of this coming weekend's game following an escalation in abuse directed at referees.
A statement from NDSL CEO and Honorary Secretary Tony Gains said all referees are withdrawing their service because of "constant abuse" sustained by match officials at the hands of "managers, players, coaches and supporters".
Gains cited the instance of a female referee - taking charge of her first three matches - who "was abused so badly from the time she entered the pitch, she decided that she is not taking any more of this abuse from these people and she has now decided to give up refereeing entirely."
All NDSL SSG, 11-a-side and friendly games have been called off as a result. Discussions about the following weekend's fixtures will take place with referees in due course.
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NDSL statement:
I have just been informed that all referees who are refereeing in the NDSL & MGL are withdrawing their services this weekend and the reason why they are withdrawing their services is because of constant abuse and threatening behaviour from managers, players, coaches and supporters.
This weekend a female referee refereeing her first game of three games was abused so badly from the time she entered the pitch, she decided that she is not taking any more of this abuse from these people and she has now decided to give up refereeing entirely.
Another young referee who has only been refereeing for the past 2 months was petrified on the pitch, he was so afraid even to collect his gear. This abuse he took was absolutely disgraceful.
I have also informed our Disciplinary Committee to have zero tolerance when it comes to these matters and to penalise these culprits where it hurts. Let me remind all our clubs you are responsible for the conduct of managers, players, coaches and supporters.
This is a sad day for football and I hope we will learn from what is happening this weekend.
Yours in sport
Tony Gains
Hon. Secretary/C.E.O.
North Dublin Schoolboys/Girls League
Metropolitan Girls League
