Violent spectators will face a lifetime ban from multiple sporting codes under a new policy by the New South Wales government.
The bans will extend across all levels and leagues, along with different sporting codes, according to the state's sport minister, Steve Kamper.
Mr Kamper said the recent violence at a Men's Premier League match in Padstow, which left referee Khodr Yaghi with a broken jaw, was the catalyst for change.
"Like all of New South Wales, I was sickened by the attack on Khodr. Our referees and volunteers deserve our respect but, more importantly, they deserve to be safe," he said.
"Even if you've got someone who has behaved appallingly at an under-sixers match, they could be banned from any sporting venue in New South Wales.
"These are the types of measures we're looking at, to let it be known out there that, if you're going to conduct yourself like this, there's no place for you in and around sport."
In a recent move, referees from the Bankstown District Amateur Football Association (BDAFA) — which covers 19 clubs — were told they will need to wear body cameras on a trial basis to help monitor on-field incidents.
In a board directive, the BDAFA said the decision to wear the cameras at Men's Premier League games was in direct response to the same incident.
Adam Abdallah, 25, has been accused of assaulting the 45-year-old referee at Padstow Oval after a match between the Greenacre Eagles and the Padstow Hornets earlier this month.
The Villawood man was charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and affray.
Mr Kamper said the government was exploring stricter policies to punish violent or abusive behaviour.
Other punishments could include sanctions against teams or clubs where individuals are allowed to be involved after being suspended, and a greater campaign to encourage respectful behaviour.
Football teams across Sydney have held a guard of honour for referees before matches as a sign of respect to the volunteers.
The government said they would be looking to tailor sanctions to individual sports through consultation with clubs.
"We are looking forward to working with sport organisations on how we can ensure that this behaviour is stamped out of our grassroots sporting communities."
