Local referees have been assaulted, threatened and verbally abused during matches at a grassroots level.
The ECHO has previously reported on a number of incidents where referees have been physically and verbally threatened by players and supporters. The officials have warned if attitudes don't change match officials will be driven away from the game.
David Humphreys, 31, told the ECHO: "While I've never been physically abused, I've sadly heard of countless colleagues who have. That aside, all too often I've been on the receiving end of verbal abuse. Whether it's from the junior game to adult football, there have been times I've been sworn at, threatened or berated to the point where I don't want to pick up the bag again.
