Referee Abuse

The scale of some of the abuse dished out to officials in professional football was laid bare when the extraordinary incident report for John Sheridan’s five-match touchline ban was released.

Extracts of referee Eddie Ilderton’s report have now been published and outlines an extraordinary outburst, which includes the allegations that Sheridan blamed the referee for his children not getting Christmas presents as well as a threat of violence to the fourth official.

The Telegraph revealed this week that the FA has appointed a new employee dedicated to relaunching the Respect campaign, while more than 800 referees in grassroots football are planning a strike in protest at the verbal and physical abuse they have suffered.

Ilderton's report says: “In the 55th minute fourth official Matthew Donohue informed me that Notts County manager John Sheridan should be removed from the technical area for his behaviour towards himself. I then asked Mr Sheridan to leave the technical area, and take a place in the stands. Mr Sheridan then said to me 'You're a fu***** disgrace, you're fu***** useless, you've not fu***** got anything right today, you should be fu***** ashamed, you're fu***** shiiiit, my kids aren't going to get any fu***** Christmas presents because of fu***** you. Mr Sheridan then took his place in the stands for the rest of the game."

Donohue also contributed to the report. “In the 56th minute, after Wycombe Wanderers had scored their second goal, Notts County manager, John Sheridan and assistant manager, Mark Crossley left the technical to complain to assistant referee, Anthony Moore," he wrote.

“I approached them to tell them they needed to remain in their technical area. Mr Sheridan then shouted directly into my face, 'You're a f****** c***. I then called across referee Eddie Ilderton, who dismissed Mr Sheridan from the technical area. On leaving the technical area, Mr Sheridan approached me again, shouting directly at me, 'You really are a c***. I'm gonna knock you out you c***."


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/01/20/john-sheridans-foul-mouthed-rant-referee-lays-bare-abuse-officials/




Shocking, but I would suggest not uncommon. This must change. It's completely unacceptable to be faced with this sort of language in any job at all.

Mr Sheridan has since lost his job - great stance Notts County - but I wonder if this would have been the case had the referee not provided a full transcript of the tirade.

Regarding the grassroots officials, I would back a strike here too - on a Sunday morning at an U12s match you do not deserve to exchange your time for threats and abuse.