The number of serious allegations of assault and attempted assault against referees in grassroots football last season increased by 32% compared to the 2022-23 season, according to new figures released by the Football Association.
There were 95 allegations of assault and attempted assault on officials reported in 2023-24, compared to 72 in previous campaign.
Overall, the number of serious allegations, including those against players and match officials, increased by 17% from 3,636 to 4,277.
However, while the number of charges brought against the FA following the allegations increased from 2,263 to 2,561, the number of proven serious cases fell by 1%.
The FA’s annual Grassroots Disciplinary Review, now in its second year, covers stage five and below in men’s football and stage three and below in the women’s game.
The total number of allegations of serious misconduct against match officials, which include verbal abuse/threats as well as physical assaults, also increased by 17% from 1,451 to 1,716.
In its review, the FA said a key part of its job was to deal with the “most serious cases”.
The governing body’s senior manager of discipline, Alan Darfi, explained: “These include offenses that are aggravated by reference to a protected characteristic, threats, physical contact or assaults on match officials and player-on-players. We generally call these types of offenses “serious cases.” “
The FA said the trial of referees wearing body cameras in adult grassroots football, which began in February 2023, had a positive impact on conduct, with only one allegation of misconduct relating to a referee wearing a camera.
It also said the number of primary referees had increased by 20% last season, with there being more than 37,000 referees in England.
Reflecting on the rise in cases, the FA said more football was being played and that “reporting processes were working”.
Darfi added: “Although these types of offenses only occur in 0.1% of all grassroots football matches per year, we know the serious impact these incidents have on players.”
Regulations introduced before the start of the previous season were aimed at tackling abuse of players and officials, with local clubs in England having points deducted for “repeated offenses of serious misconduct”.
However, no point deductions were made, which the FA said showed the potential penalty was a deterrent.
However, the FA said the past year saw “record sanctions” – with discrimination allegations alone resulting in bans for a total of 5,510 matches, with an average ban of seven matches.
