David Coldrick: GAA clubs must take responsibility for ref abuse too 

Individuals should be held accountable but clubs must face sanctions after incidents

MAN IN THE MIDDLE: Referee David Coldrick at the GAA Referees Respect Day at Croke Park. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Clubs have to be made to take responsibility for any abusive behaviour shown by their members towards referees, says inter-county football referee David Coldrick.

The Meath native believes the long-standing “Give Respect, Get Respect” initiative needs teeth and ensuring units as well as individuals are culpable is a means of doing just that.