Disgusting attacks and statistics on match officials.
As a previous Referee, I had my fair run in with similar scenarios as posted below but, was fortunate enough to have both the maturity and man management skills on my side, to deal with it at the time. It's not always the case nowadays as young t.eenage boys/girls and even adults who wish to take up officiating, have to endure such horrendous verbal and physical abuse.
The attached stats below and some of the actual stories are appalling! There is no wonder others think twice about taking it on.
I would hazard a guess that a very very high percentage of all football know alls on the terraces, wouldn't have the bottle to go out there and officiate. When you're out there you are ''on your own''. You have to think instantly, decide in milliseconds what your decision is then hopefully you have the respect of players of what happens next. This doesn't always go to plan and there's no fellow officials on the sidelines to help you, no cameras for VAR and depending where you are at the time, no official support ie; police, to assist when things turn really ugly. Yes it can get that bad and that's not through bad officiating, it's how some players/managers blow up at times when things don't go their way. Think I'm joking?
As for the touchlines, there are some Managers that take it too far, thinking their team 'must' win come all odds. This in turn incites teams fans and suddenly you have a much larger issue to deal with. I never delayed in dealing with this, a quick stop of the game, a stern word with the 'Gobs.hite' stirring it all up usually sufficed. That's very hard when you're a young boy or girl in your t.eens and you're having to deal with a grown man/woman giving it large in front of you.
Have a read below then ask yourself, could you ever have officiated or could officiate if your'e fit and well enough to do so now?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61425471