10th tier match abandoned after referee gets PUNCHED in the face as players brawl

A 10th tier match has been abandoned after referee gets punched in the face as both teams’ players brawl mid-game on Monday.

The Southern Combination League game between Dorking Wanderers Reserves and Epsom & Ewell was abandoned in 69th minute after a disagreement turned into something much sour.

Those watching in the stand couldn’t believe what they were seeing with an official smacked in the face as a fight broke out on the touchline.

A video has been uploaded to social media and it’s since getting thousands of views with Twitter users making it go viral.

Refereeing abuse at non league and grassroots level is becoming a big issue with officials stepping away from the game they once loved.

Research suggests more than 90% of grassroots referees have experienced abuse and – amid a culture of under-reporting – local football associations have used open letters and social media to campaign against it.

So far this season, the issue has led to referee strikes; some officials withdrawn for their own protection; teams expelled from competitions, and some leagues refusing to provide referees for games.

But there are fears the treatment of officials at grassroots level could be causing some to leave the sport for good – and even from taking up the profession in the first place.

My talented lad has today hung up his whistle after just 6 yrs as a ref, having seen the lack of respect shown to him from supposed ‘top’ coaches, players, parents I totally understand why he has felt its just not worth the hassle anymore. Proud of you my son 👏 pic.twitter.com/DtVAlY91fe

— Allen Dunne 💙 (@AllenDunne) May 23, 2021

Examples of the vile verbal and physical abuse officials endure are being shared widely on social media – and in the last few years, we’ve seen letters and social media posts from county football associations go viral, warning coaches, players and parents about their conduct.

• Kent FA reported
• a 25% drop in officials this season
• Cheshire FA said
• 30% of improper conduct charges were for behaviour targeting a referee aged under 18
• Worcestershire FA listed a string of incidents, banned two teams and called for change
• The North Bucks and District League is not providing referees to this Saturday’s fixtures in a show of solidarity

Twitter users reacted after seeing a 10th tier match abandoned after a referee gets punched in the face as players brawl…

@demodainty: And we wonder why there is a shortage of referees at non-league level

@Tom_KnightMAAT: Just another day in the role of referee! Disgusting behaviour 😢

@gaz_turner: Shocking

@ChilternLlama: Banned for life for that.

@bricktop1972: Protect the refs and ban that player for life

@jamesirwin43: Not be too long before a referee (wrongly) reacts to this behaviour in kind 🥊. The county FA’s and indeed the FA need to hand down more appropriate punishment. This is also assault on 3 occasions!

@BrianBtinternet: Should never play again. End of.

@FulwoodAmateurs: State of him, how is he playing any sort of footy?

@mdaniel8812: Lots calling for a life ban but what he’ll get will be, wrongly, miles away from that. 10/12 game ban, £250 fine or so. This is where football is broken. He’ll be playing again by Easter

@DaveofSomerset: Christ. There’s battles all over the place.

@tfoster450: That 12 should be banned from playing Football. Refs need more protection otherwise you are not going to get anymore refs – and no more football.

@owenradley:
@SurreyPolice this took place in your county today. In Dorking.
Multiple clear assaults, probably also an Affray and S4A POA with associated language.
The offender can be clearly identified, as can the victims.
Please record the crime and investigate it.

@Mr_JLV_: Seems odd to abandon it for that one fella? Wasn’t even a mass brawl and it all seemed to be under control. Unless I’ve missed something ?

@TroyW21: He should never be allowed to play ever again . And people wonder why there’s is a shortage of referees

@JoshButlerBUFC: This bloke will get about a 10 game ban yet andi thanoj having a flutter on a football game he has no influence on gets months off

@teilo007: That should be the end of his footballing career.

@butcherboy180: The guy has eaten to much at Christmas and now has a life time ban. HNY. Hope the Referee is ok.

@THerrick_: Absolutely embarrassing! Terminate the contract of this manchild! @EEFCOfficial

@dcg82: Credit the Reds 7, protects the ref best he can and then gets whacled for it. Not just a ban from football, behaviour like that needs bigger assistance

@HungryHatter: Alexa, show me a player who wasn’t expecting today to be the day he hung up his boots forever.

@ttjck5: Disgusting fat bastard

@unofficialrob: Ref told him they’d sold out of pies

@mjmreaks: The thug needs banning for life and slapping with a hefty fine. Fat prick.

@CJS24876674: Easy. Assault charge and lifetime ban from playing competitive games

@LDCox5: That @EEFCOfficial player should be banned for life! Either by the FA or by the club. In no way is that acceptable! Letting a club that are trying their best to progress down! Should be ashamed of himself!

@garylincoln67: Don’t think the ref had any choice really, some shocking stuff going on and would have got worse if the game had been allowed to carry on.

Thought the DW players were remarkably restrained in the difficult and challenging circumstances.

— Leap like a salmon Jase! (@jane36london) December 27, 2021