Ref abuse worries Welsh

The Welsh Rugby Union is concerned about the level of abuse of referees by players, officials and spectators. It is looking to enforce a Code of Conduct to counter growing abuse.

The Union reported that this season there had been 30 occasions on which the Welsh Rugby Union's Code of Conduct with regards referee abuse had been invoked. This included instances from Premier Division to Division 5. There were 13 cases of on-field verbal abuse and one of physical abuse. Off-field cases of abuse include verbal abuse by coaches, officials and spectators.

There were cases of abuse in rugby played from Under-12 to Under-19. It included "physical abuse, abuse from parents, assault by spectators, physical intimidation of a referee and even spitting at a referee at an Under 12 fixture".

WRU General Manager Steve Lewis said: In October 2004, the Director of Match Officials wrote to all clubs and other organisations highlighting once again that referees were being subjected to abuse. Originally we referred to an unacceptable level of abuse, but we have now adopted a zero tolerance approach and regard any abuse as unacceptable.

The WRU Board of Directors fully supports our stance on this matter as this is having a detrimental effect on the recruitment and retention of referees. It is incumbent on all clubs and organisations to ensure that matches are played in a safe environment and to that end all involved in the game players, club officials and spectators should adhere to the WRU Code of Conduct. Failure to do so will result in severe sanctions being imposed on any club or organisation.

Clubs and other organisations have been asked to display two posters outlining the importance of respecting match officials in a prominent place in their clubhouses and have been asked to enforce the Code of Conduct by getting the message across to their players, coaches, officials and supporters.