Larry Mussenden, the Bermuda Football Association president, has told “loudmouths” to stay at home in response to the abuse being hurled at youth referees during junior matches.
Mussenden is urging supporters who attend BFA Youth League games to give encouragement or keep quiet, fearing the negative comments could drive aspiring referees away from the game.
“Encourage, not criticise ... or stay home!” said Mussenden in a strongly-worded statement.
“Some parents and spectators are supportive but we hear that some parents and spectators, both male and female, are shouting harsh criticism at our youth referees, when those same parents won’t even take up the whistle or flag themselves.
“So we say to the rude and obnoxious parents/spectators — leave our youth referees alone. Just like our young footballers, the youth referees are learning by playing and will make mistakes.”
The BFA last month announced that a group of youngsters have enrolled in BFA training sessions to become referees for junior matches.
“We have been absolutely delighted that on Saturdays our youth referees are on the field and officiating at youth matches all around the island,” Mussenden said.
“Early reports show that the youth referees are getting into their groove, learning the laws of the games and gaining confidence with the whistle and flag.
“Youth coaches have been fantastic and given support to them.”
In December last year, Crenstant Williams, the chairman of the BFA’s Referees Committee, said the number of officials in Bermuda was worryingly low, and the abuse referees and assistant referees received on match days was not helping matters.
Martin Wyre, who was regarded as the island’s top referee, quit last season after being racially abused by a fan during a Premier Division game at Goose Gosling Field between Flanagan’s Onions and PHC. Wyre had been verbally abused and quit the season before, only to return at the behest of his colleagues
Mussenden, however, said he has been encouraged by the enthusiasm shown by Bermuda’s young referees and hopes many will develop into senior officials.
“All this bodes well for the short-term and long-term aims of the Referees Committee to bring on younger referees now in order to graduate to senior referees who are desperately needed for the good of the game,” he said.
