Reports of assaults on grassroots referees rise 32%

Serious allegations relating to the assault and attempted assault of match officials in grassroots football last season increased by 32% from 2022-23, according to new data published by the Football Association.

There were 95 allegations of assaults and attempted assaults on officials in 2023-24, compared to 72 during the previous campaign.

In total, the number of serious case allegations, including those against players and match officials, featured a 17% rise from 3,636 to 4,277.

However, while the number of FA charges brought following the allegations rose from 2,263 to 2,561, there was a 1% decrease in the number of proven serious cases.

The FA's annual Grassroots Disciplinary Review, now in its second year, covers step five and below in men's football, and step three and below of the women's game.

The total number of serious offence allegations against match officials, which include verbal abuse/threats as well as well as physical assaults, also rose 17% from 1,451 to 1,716.

In its review, the FA said a key part of its work was to tackle the "most serious of cases".

The governing body's senior discipline manager Alan Darfi explained: "These include offences aggravated by reference to a protected characteristic, threats, physical contact or assaults on match officials and player on player assaults. Generically, we refer to these kind of offences as 'serious cases."

The FA said the trial of referees wearing body cameras in adult grassroots football, which began in February 2023, had had a positive impact on behaviour with only one allegation of misconduct against a match official wearing a camera.

It also said there was a 20% increase in the number of grassroots referees last season, with over 37,000 involved in England.

Reflecting on the rise in cases, the FA said more football was being played and that "reporting processes are working".

Darfi added: "Whilst these offences only occur in 0.1% of all grassroots football annually, we know the serious impact these incidents have on those within the game."

Rules brought in before the start of last season were designed to tackle abusive behaviour towards players and officials, with grassroots clubs in England being deducted points for "repeated offences of serious misconduct".

No points deductions were made, however, which the FA said showed the potential punishment was working as a deterrent.

However the FA said the year had featured "record sanctions" - charges for discrimination alone resulted in bans totalling 5,510 matches, with an average ban of seven matches.

The FA's director of football development James Kendall said: "Tackling unacceptable behaviour is a key strategic priority for us, and we are determined to drive this out of our game.

"It's important to have a clear understanding of the levels of serious misconduct across grassroots football, and we are encouraged that more people feel confident to report these incidents to us.

"Unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated, and we have made it clear that perpetrators will face serious consequences through tougher sanctions for both players and clubs.

"We all have a collective responsibility to improve the behaviour and culture in our game, and we strongly encourage all participants to continue to report incidents of misconduct so we can help to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all."