Sports body to set up 'respect the ref' campaign to tackle rising incidents of abuse towards match officials

One participant told the study: 'The level of abuse is a deterrent to referees and there is simply not enough on-the-ground support for officials.' File picture: Inpho/James Crombie

Sport Ireland is set to develop a new “respect the ref” campaign in response to what it has identified as a rising incidence of abuse and disrespect towards officials.

The €70,000 project aims to develop a new “national behaviour change campaign”, that will be rolled out across the sector.