Procedure to Follow If Threatened / Assaulted During A Game
08/09/09 12:00
This guide has been put
together by another Society and provides some
information on the steps to be taken in the unlikely
event something of this nature taking place...
The following procedure is to be followed, by active Referees, in the event of a physical assault, that is, any blow, shoulder charge, kick or similar severe attack upon a Referee or Assistant Referees
1. The Referee shall insist that the Police be summoned immediately.
2. If able, the Referee shall ascertain the names and addresses of witnesses to the assault.
3. If able, the Referee should take sufficient note of the assailant to enable later identification.
N.B. Where Assistants are appointed, they may make important contributions to points 2& 3.
4. Where the assault occurs during a match and the Referee is injured or sufficiently shaken as to be unable to complete the match, it shall be abandoned. The match is NOT to be completed by a substitute Referee.
5. Where possible, the Referee shall await the arrival of Police and provide information in an endeavour to ensure that the assault is dealt with as a Police matter.
6. As soon as possible after the incident, the Referee shall contact the Association Secretary, or, if uncontactable, a Senior Association Official.
7. The Referee shall submit a Report to the competition secretary and County FA. This procedure shall be mandatory in the event of a serious assault. Lesser assaults, for example, a blow which did not connect, a Referee being manhandled, grabbed or having hands placed upon him/her, shall be dealt with by the individual Referee, as he/she chooses. The County FA must be informed of such incidents and reports submitted even if the actions take place off the field of play or following the completion of a game.
Regrettably, assaults on Referees in our district, whilst isolated, are by no means unheard of. It is imperative that Referees assist in protecting each other by adhering to this procedure.
The following procedure is to be followed, by active Referees, in the event of a physical assault, that is, any blow, shoulder charge, kick or similar severe attack upon a Referee or Assistant Referees
1. The Referee shall insist that the Police be summoned immediately.
2. If able, the Referee shall ascertain the names and addresses of witnesses to the assault.
3. If able, the Referee should take sufficient note of the assailant to enable later identification.
N.B. Where Assistants are appointed, they may make important contributions to points 2& 3.
4. Where the assault occurs during a match and the Referee is injured or sufficiently shaken as to be unable to complete the match, it shall be abandoned. The match is NOT to be completed by a substitute Referee.
5. Where possible, the Referee shall await the arrival of Police and provide information in an endeavour to ensure that the assault is dealt with as a Police matter.
6. As soon as possible after the incident, the Referee shall contact the Association Secretary, or, if uncontactable, a Senior Association Official.
7. The Referee shall submit a Report to the competition secretary and County FA. This procedure shall be mandatory in the event of a serious assault. Lesser assaults, for example, a blow which did not connect, a Referee being manhandled, grabbed or having hands placed upon him/her, shall be dealt with by the individual Referee, as he/she chooses. The County FA must be informed of such incidents and reports submitted even if the actions take place off the field of play or following the completion of a game.
Regrettably, assaults on Referees in our district, whilst isolated, are by no means unheard of. It is imperative that Referees assist in protecting each other by adhering to this procedure.