Sean Slattery: Refs will strike nationwide unless football takes action over ‘abuse and terror’

It has emerged that two referees were recently attacked and punched in separate games, including at a Dublin schoolboy match, while another referee feared for his life after he was surrounded and verbally abused

The NDSL will meet with referees’ representatives on Thursday in a bid to resume fixtures next week. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Referees will withdraw from all football, “nationwide”, unless appropriate measures are enforced to end abuse and violence towards match officials.

Following an escalation in attacks on refs, the Irish Soccer Referees Society (ISRS) today warned that unless full disciplinary measures are imposed on perpetrators, it will bring all games to a halt.