Refs give abuse the red card by going on strike

MORE than 2,000 football referees are expected to take part in a nationwide strike organised by a young official from Manchester.

As first reported in the M.E.N, Ryan Hampson, 18, from Withington, set up a Facebook campaign calling on his colleagues to take action due to persistent verbal and physical abuse on the field.

Despite crisis talks with both the local FA and Wembley bosses, Ryan is insisting the strike this weekend is going ahead.

And he expects more than 2,000 others to join in him ‘sending a clear message’ that abuse has to stop – and that they need more backing from the football authorities.

Ryan has been officiating matches in the city since he was 14, firstly in junior leagues and then in open-age football, including pub teams and club sides from the age of 16. However, he says he has been pushed to the brink of quitting the sport as a result of constant abuse, including being headbutted, spat on and drenched with water, as well as being verbally abused. Speaking of his campaign, he said: “The response has been amazing. From all over the country it’s been amazing. “I think we’ve already sent a really strong message to the people at the top about how serious we are. “But on Saturday and Sunday, when many people don’t have referees for their games, hopefully that will send an even stronger one.” However, a source at the Manchester FA, which has promised to address Ryan’s concerns but does not support the strike action, say they have been working with officials at their affiliated leagues and are confident the walk-out ‘won’t have a significant impact’. Ryan Hampson