IT is staggering to learn of the levels of abuse being handed out to referees at the grassroots level of the game.

What is more disturbing though, is that in many instances the abuse is not coming from the players, although that is bad enough, but from the supporters.

In far too many cases the verbal abuse is from the parents of youngsters playing the game.

This is totally unacceptable and it has got to stop.

What lesson is this sending to children.

We understand the passion in football, we are firm believers in the benefits of competitive sport for children, but we cannot condone this level of anger being aimed at referees.

After all these are people who give up their time without reward to referee matches across the length and breadth of Gwent.

It is appalling that they are then finding themselves subject to verbal abuse and, in some cases, physical attack.

We are even hearing reports of referees receiving threatening telephone calls in their homes.

The danger is that abusive parents and players will deter anyone from wanting to become a referee.

The upshot of that would be a drastic reduction in the number of games played at grassroots level and that would be deplorable.