U14 soccer match involving midlands club abandoned after referee allegedly threatened

An U14 Midlands Schoolboys/girls League game involving an Offaly club was abandoned at the weekend after an alleged threat was made to the match referee, it has been confirmed. 

The referee involved has posted about the incident on social media, claiming threats were made to him and his family by a coach from one of the teams involved in the game. 

His post had been viewed over 111,000 times by Monday afternoon. 

MSL league secretary Derek Collins confirmed that the game was abandoned on Saturday. 

"I can't comment on the incident until the league receives the referee's report and a report from both clubs involved," he said.

"Once we have reviewed all reports, we will hold a disciplinary meeting with all parties.

"We will not be making any more comments on this case," Mr Collins said. 

The social media post by the referee involved said he had been refereeing for over 40 years, and had been a FIFA assistant for a number of years. 

A fellow referee in the MSL commented on his social media post, describing the referee involved as "the best and most experienced referee and a great mentor to many of us".