Dear Members,
We are writing to you following a recent serious incident that occurred in Ballea Park, Carrigaline on Saturday night 25th February 2023, while one of our colleagues was officiating a Youth match.
Without going into too much detail, due to ongoing investigations by the appropriate bodies including the Cork Youth League, we feel we have to act immediately in the best interests of all our members.
Our colleague, in the performance of this role of officiating the match, was subjected to criticism, verbal abuse and threats to his safety and life by spectators, players and coaching staff which resulted in the abandonment the match and the referee running to seek refuge in the changing room behind a locked door.
Since this incident we have met as a committee and we are aware the Cork Youth League have met to discuss it. No contact has been received from Carrigaline United since to discuss it or to inquiry about the wellbeing of our colleague who had to endure this intolerable treatment.
We feel we have to act immediately to protect the wellbeing and safety of our members from any and all future incidents, and also to put all other clubs on notice that this treatment and abuse match officials (at all age groups in all levels of grassroots football) by players, coaches, officials and spectators is totally unacceptable.
As a result, we have decided to issue a directive to our members in all leagues in Cork.
All members of the ISRS Cork Branch are NOT to officiate Carrigaline United matches
at Ballea Park, in all leagues and competitions until FURTHER NOTICE.
Yours in Sport,
Committee
Cork Branch of the Irish Soccer Referees’ Society
