Football Referees Association of Victoria encouraged all officials to don a blue armband to help facilitate the conversation surrounding disrespect and abuse towards those who make playing soccer possible every week.
“No matter whether you’re a player, coach, spectator or referee, our game has no place for disrespect,” a FRAV spokesperson said.
“Every week hundreds of games go without referees because of a culture that continues to drive people away from our game.
“Sitting back in silence is easy, but standing up for what is right takes courage — a characteristic that’s needed to make a great referee.”
Referees are there in the heat of the battle to control the contest and ensure it is played fairly — no matter the level.
But when the jovial and often banterous relationship between most players and referees crosses over into language and actions which are far more sinister, it drives officials away from the craft.
“Most of the time the environment week-in and week-out is not too bad at all,” FRAV said.
“But then you get a handful of incidents of verbal or physical abuse — or even bullying when it involves people you see out of the match day environment — and you can start to see why so many referees haven't come back from the COVID break.
“Maybe part of it is that a lot of people went away and got used to not being berated while trying to do their job.”
The blue armbands may have started the conversation, but what is needed now from players and fans across the competitions of the state and country is no tolerance towards the small number taking out their frustrations in the wrong way towards referees.
“What we wanted to achieve was a small demonstration which wouldn't impact any matches, but would start a conversation,” FRAV said.
“The blue ties into Beyond Blue and everything that organisation does to support those who are suffering from anxiety and depression.
“We just want the mental health and well-being of referees to be at the front of everyone's minds on match day.”
Part of the weekend's demonstration was also for referees to show support for each other.
“It was great to see blue armbands in Canberra, Albury-Wodonga and in competitions ranging from the NPL down to metro and country leagues,” FRAV said.
“We are a team out there and we want to raise awareness for all referees to know that there are plenty of others out there to chat to about the experiences they go through every weekend, positive as well as negative.”
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