30/03/2026
Cant' agree more, a Ā£130 fine is far too low, no wonder referees are leaving the game. When is it going to change???
Liverpool County FA actually put this graphic out as if it proves they are taking referee abuse seriously.
A Ā£130 fine for a club whose parents threatened a referee at an under-9s match is not strong action. It is tokenism. It is pocket change. It is the sort of punishment that tells every abusive parent, coach and club in the area that this behaviour is still not being treated with the seriousness it deserves.
Letās be honest about it. If adults are threatening a child or young referee at grassroots football and the response is basically the cost of a few tracksuits and a matchday food bill, that is not a deterrent. It is an insult.
And then to package it up in a slick graphic as if it is some big statement. Embarrassing.
This is exactly why referee abuse keeps happening. Weak sanctions. Weak leadership. Weak consequences. The people handing these punishments out want credit for ādoing somethingā while making sure they do nothing that might actually hurt the clubs responsible.
If Liverpool County FA really wanted to protect referees, especially in kidsā football, they would stop treating threats and intimidation like a minor admin issue and start handing out punishments that actually matter.
Because right now, Ā£130 says one thing loud and clear:
threaten a referee, and barely anything will happen.
