Capital Football Shows The Door To Referee Abuse

An official referee review launched by Capital Football in 2018 was designed to help put an end to referee abuse, and put a stop to the alarming rate of decreasing officials who were leaving the sport.

Capital Football referees leaving the pitch at half-time of the 2019 NPL Semi-finals at AIS. Tim Warren.

Referee data analysis from the report showed that registration numbers of officials were steadily declining, with total registrations plummeting six percent, from a total of 554 in 2016 to 514 in 2017.

Some other worrying statistics for Capital Football include female refereeing rates dropping by 14% annually, while the age bracket of 18-30 falling 45 percent from 224 to 123 during the time of the report.

The figures show that local officials are sick and tired of receiving both player and spectator abuse at their place of employment, and many are choosing to give up the roll altogether.

Currently registered female referee, Delfina Dimoski, backs up this sentiment, saying that she has considered leaving the sport she loves so dearly because of the abuse.

Capital Football registered referee, Delfina Dimoski. Tim Warren.

“I think the point though that I almost walked away was when I had a spectator call out that they were going to rape me. I think that was the point where I was like; “why do I do this?” said Dimoski.

Since the review, Capital Football have increased their level of referee welfare and support, implementing a sports chaplain for officials to talk to if they experience abuse or hard ache from the sport.

Other rule changes that Capital Football have introduced following the review, include ten-minute temporary dismissals – a way to curb on-field player abuse, red and yellow cards for coaches and officials on the bench, and club-vested officials to supervise spectator behaviour.

27-year old Dimoski, who has been officiating since she was just 16-years old, says although some changes have already been made for the betterment of the sport, there is still a long way to go.

“I’m not going to say referee abuse is completely gone because we’ve put out a document, but I must admit it is comforting to know that Capital Football are now taking these matters seriously and are offering more support than they have previously to referees” said Dimoski.

The referee review will be ongoingly assessed by Capital Football to make sure that they are continually meeting the improved expectations.

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