REFEREES of two of Ireland's largest soccer leagues for minors go on strike due to abuses suffered by coaches, coaches, players and supporters on the sidelines of matches.
Nearly 870 teams from the North Dublin College Girls 'League and the Metropolitan Girls' League will be out of matches over the weekend after referees refused to officiate due to the torrent of abuse they have faced.
Speaking to the Irish Daily Star, NDSL Honorary Secretary Tony Gains said: โIt's been going on for a while. We had a club meeting a while ago and we told the clubs that if people continued to abuse the referees, as well as the managers, coaches, officials, that was going to happen.
"It is happening. We warn all the clubs of what is happening and now the referees have said that they will not play any more games for us.
โWe have to cancel all the games for that. It comes from everywhere.
โEvery day that the referees go out, there are abuses. It's only getting worse and something needs to be done.
โThe FAI has to get involved in this. I think people might realize that if they continue with this, there will be no football at all.
โWithout a referee, you can't have football. Most referees work alone. We don't have enough referees for three referees per game. There is only one."
The leagues have canceled all matches for the near future.
