Simon Burns

🚨 Here’s the brutal truth about youth football referees… Imagine being 15 or 16. You step onto a pitch not as a player, but as the official. You’re there to keep the game fair. You’re nervous, but also excited, you want to learn, earn respect, maybe make a little money. Then the shouting starts. Adults. Coaches. Parents. Swearing. Questioning your ability. Breaking you down before you’ve even started. 👉 That’s exactly what Emma (16) and John (15) went through. Two teenagers trying to referee youth football. Both had moments of pride and growth. But those moments were often drowned out by verbal abuse and intimidation. Here’s the problem: ➠ If referees don’t feel respected, they quit. ➠ If referees quit, the game suffers. ➠ And without referees, youth football simply cannot exist. We wouldn’t tolerate a workplace where a teenager gets screamed at for every decision they make. So why do we allow it in youth football? This is the hard truth: until parents, coaches, and players respect officials, we will keep losing them. Respect isn’t optional, it’s the foundation that keeps the game alive. ⚽ The future of football doesn’t just rely on developing players. It relies on protecting referees. 👉 Full article here: thesportingresource.co.uk/yo… @SundayShare10 | #SundayShare