Stamp it Out: Upchurch Colts Football Club fined following abuse from a parent towards a match official during an under-18 match

THIS ARTICLE IS PART OF A SERIES OF CASES ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION AND HIGHLIGHTED BY KENTONLINE IN A BID TO IMPROVE BEHAVIOUR IN OUR GAME

An official running the line during a youth match was subjected to a torrent of foul-mouth abuse by a watching dad.

Upchurch Colts claimed the parent was deeply apologetic over the verbal abuse of an assistant referee during an under-18 fixture. The club was fined £150 and warned as to their future conduct.

The Kent FA received a complaint from Anchorians FC over the treatment of their club member who submitted a report stating that abuse started after an offside decision.

The complainant said: “A member of the crowd started shouting at me calling me a cheat, a p***k and a c***,” which continued until the end of the match.”

Upchurch Colts faced two FA charges over the incident and a member of the National Serious Case Panel was appointed to adjudicate.

The disciplinary report was issued with a summary of principal submissions provided, including that of the person claiming to have been abused.

That statement added: “As the final whistle went he came up to me again shouting abuse at me and shaking his finger in my face so that it was about an inch from my nose.”

The abuse was then alleged to have continued in the car park.

“This man carried on shouting abuse at me calling me a p***k and a c*** and that I ruin kids’ football,” the statement continued.

“I do not think this behaviour is acceptable at any football match let alone a kids’ football match.”

The statement added: “All the hard work we are putting into encouraging and supporting referees to ensure we have enough to officiate our games is becoming harder and harder.

“Referees, and young officials in