The abuse of referees has been hitting headlines like never before. On the back of some extremely high profile cases in the English Premier League - including death threats and tell all interviews - Bill Schmitz takes a look at the growing issue of abuse in football and asks if there’s a solution on the way.
The abuse of referees in football has become an increasingly relevant topic in recent years. From grassroots level to the Premier League, officials face threats, harassment and even physical violence. Recent cases of abuse involving high profile referees such as David Coote and Michael Oliver have sparked a conversation about what constitutes a simple fan complaint, and why does it so frequently escalate beyond that.
David Coote
David Coote’s career collapsed in December 2024 when the PGMOL, England’s refereeing authority, dismissed him from his duties following leaked videos. One video showed him making derogatory remarks about Liverpool and their manager at the time of recording, Jürgen Klopp, while another allegedly depicted him snorting a white powder during Euro 2024. Major backlash immediately followed, and after an internal investigation, PGMOL terminated his contract for a "serious breach”.
Coote admitted he felt "embarrassed and ashamed.” During an interview with The Sun, Coote mentioned his hidden sexuality as one of the justifications for his actions. Some viewers sympathised with Coote, while critics saw it as a deflection from his misconduct. The level of abuse he faced, just like the situation he was in, was unheard of. Later, he revealed the scrutiny had left him battling suicidal thoughts - a reminder of the toll public abuse can take.
Michael Oliver
Unlike Coote’s off-field controversy, Michael Oliver’s case was purely to do with his on-field officiating. In January 2025, he gave a controversial red card to Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly for tripping Ireland’s Matt Doherty. The decision was heavily criticised, with Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards naming it “one of the worst refereeing decisions ever”. The red card was later overturned, but not before Oliver and his family faced a wave of online abuse. The PGMOL stated it was “appalled by the threats and abuse” aimed at Oliver and his family, and that the police had commenced “a number of investigations”.
Football’s culture of blaming officials has only intensified in the digital era, where criticism turns into threats within minutes. Fans took to social media to send death threats towards the referee - an issue which is widely regarded as not being dealt with strongly enough by social media companies.
A Worldwide Issue
Referee abuse isn’t just an English problem - it’s global. In Argentina, fourth-division referee Claudio Elichiri was attacked by players and fans after issuing a red card in 2015, leading the Argentine Football Association to suspend all league games.
In Brazil, referees have faced incredibly dangerous situations. During an amateur match in 2015, a referee pulled out a gun after being threatened and assaulted by players. These incidents show how dangerous officiating can be outside of the world’s top professional leagues.
At the grassroots level, abuse is just as bad. Dutch volunteer linesman Richard Nieuwenhuizen was beaten by youth players in 2012 and died from his injuries a day later. Surveys taken at non-league level consistently show that verbal and physical abuse is the leading reason referees quit, leaving leagues struggling to fill their officiating roles.
Abuse is not just driving referees out of the game, it’s also making it harder to replace them. In England, 20% of referees leave within two years due to abuse. In the United States, 90% of referees say abuse has worsened over the last five years, and 60% choose not to recertify. A study in Arizona found nearly half of reported abuse cases targeted grassroots referees, many of whom were minors.
This creates a vicious cycle. Fewer referees means a lower standard of officiating, leading to more controversial calls, which in turn leads to more abuse. Referees report heightened anxiety, reduced confidence, and loss of motivation.
Can Anything Be Done?
Football authorities have taken steps to protect referees, but many believe they aren’t doing enough. The FA, UEFA and FIFA have introduced harsher penalties for players and managers who publicly criticize referees, yet these measures haven’t stopped the abuse from fans.
Rugby offers a different way of doing things. Referees are treated with far more respect and dissent is rarely tolerated. Some suggest football should adopt similar rules, punishing players more strictly for arguing with officials. Others believe technology, like body cameras and microphones, could help deter abuse.
In an attempt to improve transparency, Premier League referees will soon announce major decisions over stadium intercoms. The idea is to explain calls in real time, reducing frustration among players and fans. While this works in the NFL, football is different. Some worry that this change could put referees under even more scrutiny. If a decision is unpopular, hearing an explanation might fuel the anger instead of reducing it. Others argue it could add unnecessary pressure, making referees hesitant to make bold calls. The success of this initiative will depend on how well referees are trained to communicate decisions. If done right, it could help reduce abuse. If handled poorly, it could make things worse.
The abuse of referees threatens the integrity of football. Cases like David Coote’s and Michael Oliver’s show how intense the scrutiny has become. Without serious action, the sport risks losing the very people who make it possible.