FAI to impose suspensions of three years or more to prevent abuse of match officials

Incidents of serious assaults in Cork and Dublin have blighted the amateur game in recent years, with referees threatening an all-out boycott of soccer, prior to the change of approach by the FAI

WELCOME: National Vice President of the ISRS Sean Slattery welcomes new rules and also the speed of their approval. Pic: Stephen McCarthy

Sweeping anti-violence and abuse penalties, which carry up to three year suspensions – and possibly longer - have been introduced across Irish football.

Leagues will inform member clubs in the coming days of the tough new sanctions which have been approved by the FAI Board and Assembly to deal with the growing issue of assault and intimidation of referees at amateur and schoolboy level.