Abuse and violent attacks against match officials have become a growing concern in South African grassroots football.

Abel Maphutha, chairperson of the Midrand Local Football Association (MLFA) referees committee and a former Premier Soccer League referee, said the treatment of match officials has reached a worrying level.

“Referees are being abused by the public and also team officials. It is not good to be abused by people who are supposed to be protecting you.”

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He said referees are often praised when teams win, but blamed when they lose. “It is very serious. I think it is high time now, as referees, to say no to abuse of match officials. The problem is when the team is winning.

Their players played good football, and the referee was fair. If they lose the game, the referee is to be blamed. That must come to an end.”

He urged the football community to remember that referees are human and can make mistakes.

Maphutha said local referees have limited support when they experience abuse or feel unsafe while officiating. He called on local football associations (LFAs) to consider providing dedicated security for match officials, similar to arrangements at professional level.

“I wish LFAs should adopt the style of the Betway Premier Soccer League for having security who are specifically there to see that referees are safe at all times.”

Despite the challenges, Maphutha said referees receive regular training to ensure they understand and correctly apply the laws of the game.

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“Referees attend classes at least once a week, and also, there are trained instructors who were trained to teach referees how to interpret and apply laws of the game.”

Officials are also assessed after matches by trained assessors who provide feedback on their performances.

Maphutha also serves as a technical and physical instructor, assessor, and match commissioner. He said referees must maintain their fitness just like players.

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Another challenge is the cost of equipment. Maphutha said referees generally have to buy their own whistles, kits, watches, and footwear because LFAs do not provide adequate equipment.

“There are those who want to join refereeing, but because they are underprivileged, they can’t afford to buy equipment.”

Maphutha appealed to LFAs and local businesses to support grassroots referees with training resources and equipment.

“As the Midrand referees department, we are asking support from local business people to come forward to lend a helping hand in buying the underprivileged boys and girls the referees’ equipment.”

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