The Cork County board referees administrator says the abuse of referees is a huge issue and has to stop.
Referees across the country have been the victims of physical and verbal abuse with former refs now speaking out and urging the GAA to take immediate action to stop it.
Calls have been made for the introduction of boby cams which some referees believe would deter players, coaches or supporters from abusing officials.
This weekend, the GAA is hosting a nationwide "Referee Respect Day", with all players, mentors and support officials being urged to remember that without referees there would be no games.
Speaking to RedFM News, Referees' administrator with the Cork County Board Niall Barrett, says that the behaviour of supporters at matches has to improve or it will lead to referees leaving the game:
"A lot of the problems I see lately, stemming from lads leaving the field and people venting their anger from the bank, some being followed to to their cars, some people getting into other people's cars, even getting into other peoples houses and being abused and it's just not acceptable."
