The RFU have introduced additional sanctions as from the 1st January for any red card sending off offence that includes referee abuse. In order to provide an additional deterrent, sanctions will be upgraded by 2 to 4 weeks on top of the original weeks or matches ban.

The lowest level of abuse recognised is “disrespecting the authority of a match official” or “dissent” such as “Are you having a laugh?” or “That’s f***ing rubbish ref”, will now attract an additional two match additional ban. A mid-range offence, such as verbal abuse directed at the referee, attracts an extra 3 weeks and top-end by 4 weeks.

Tom Winter, the club’s disciplinary secretary, a former society referee who later spent time mentoring and coaching young referees new to the game, welcomes the RFU’s support for match officials.

Within all the RFU discipline cases heard in the community game last season 18% were instances of match official abuse. Olney RFC's own record in this respect was not clean. In an RFU survey of referees 49% who responded said they were abused in the previous season.

“These levels of abuse are just not acceptable. For everyone to enjoy the game we need referees. Unfortunately, match official abuse is having an impact on their recruitment and retention. Referees, whatever their strengths, deserve our total respect”.

These additional sanctions also apply to any coaches and spectators who are subject to match official abuse disciplinary hearings.

Tom’s advice to coaches, captains and senior team players is to make an early intervention, where someone is showing frustration with the ref and/or can't keep their mouth shut. Have a word and, if necessary, remove them early from the game. Take action - to ignore is to condone.