Parents are biggest problem in grassroots football, says referee

A referee has said parents present "the biggest problem" when it comes to increasingly poor behaviour in grassroots football.

Mike Dear, who has been a referee for nearly 20 years in Somerset, says the main offenders are adults when it comes to discipline problems in local games.

Somerset Football Association (FA) recently warned discipline cases were up by 50% compared to last year.

A large number of these cases are in youth football, the FA said.

Jonathan Pike, Somerset FA CEO, said: "We need to act together to protect our game - this cannot go on.

"The most shocking allegation made recently was about a parent shouting at his 12-year-old child in a match, he told him to break another player's leg.

"Young people in football should expect adults to behave in a manner that sets a positive example."

The Somerset FA said season 2021/2022 and season 2022/2023 were already two of the worst in terms of discipline ever seen in the county.

It said it was already seeing a "worrying trend" in the new 2023/2024 season.

Mr Dear added: "You never know what to expect, the biggest problem is with parents and coaches.

"It is not every game, but in many of them I face some sort of verbal abuse.

"I think if you look at the behaviour of Premier League players, people look up to them, so they think it is acceptable and they can get away with it."

There are twice as many abandoned matches compared to a year ago, the Somerset FA said.

The FA's Mr Pike added: "Recruiting referees is in itself a difficult task, however, for those who come through our courses the environment they face is hardly conducive to retaining them.

"Sadly, we've had more incidents of adults abusing new or young referees, with young referees being left in tears by the conduct of adults.

"Everyone involved in grassroot football needs to reflect on their actions and interactions."

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