Referee abuse...when does it cross the line?

Note: This article includes screenshots of messages from 'fans' that include strong language.

Over the last 14 years, I've had the privilege of being able to referee and assistant referee both rugby union and touch rugby and been able to referee both in Scotland and overseas. However, around 2016 I had to change my name across Social Media as I shared my name with a very good football referee - John Beaton - however this brought with it it's own challenges with messages from 'fans' advising me how to referee.

The first game it become a real issue was in 2017 when Mr Beaton refereed his first Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers on 23 April 2017. I was offline during the day and evening of the match and woke up on the Monday morning to 1,000+ messages from both Rangers and Celtic 'fans' with what I would term abuse but others may term banter. However, a name change didn't stop the messages and I still regularly receive them via all social platforms. Some are quite funny, and it's right to laugh them off, but some can cross the line into being concerning. So, the question is, when can a message received be deemed referee abuse?

We've probably all been there, frustrated by a referee decision, felt the referee lost our team the game or more seriously felt they were more supportive of the opposition team. However, it's concerning to see a rise in fans taking to social media and attempting to seek them out to give the six pence.

Referee abuse isn't always physical or verbal, as may be the case if it's in the ground, however can extend to social media and comments made online. Fans, media, club representatives, players and other stakeholders all have a responsibility to call out abuse of referees.

At a time when most, if not all, sports are challenged in recruiting volunteers, it's really important we all do what we can to encourage new referees in sport. Recently, Scottish Rugby launched their Same Game, Different Shirt campaign which went far and wide across member clubs as well as the professional game. However, if we really mean 'Same Game' then we have a responsibility to ensure that a referees enjoyment of the game is exactly the same as that of a player.

So, where do we go from here? It's difficult to say as the ball is in the court of fans to change. Every referee has a family, enjoyment for the sport and a passion to do well. I don't know any referee who steps out on a Saturday or Sunday to have a bad game or make poor decisions, however I do know referees who are committed to their craft and to giving two squads of players an opportunity to play a match.

When the messages started, I recall approaching those who I thought I could trust to seek advice but more importantly support, however I was told that it wasn't an issue and it's the 'rough and tumble' of refereeing. Unfortunately, after raising concerns I struggled to get a good run of games to support my development as a referee and assistant referee. Unfortunately, from that point forward I started to withdraw from refereeing/assistant refereeing and then the pandemic closed the door on returning.

Unfortunately, I expect the messages from 'fans' to continue however hopefully we see change over the next few years otherwise all sports have a referee recruitment issue coming at them fast which then will impact the quality of the professional games where the ￡￡￡ are.

Remember #norefereenogame...