GOVERNMENT demands that all football referees are vetted by the Criminal Records Bureau is hindering recruitment of new officials, Kent County FA chief executive Keith Masters has disclosed.

Under the legislation, all new referees must attend a three-hour child protection workshop to gain the required certificate.

In his report, presented at the annual meeting in Chatham, Mr Masters said that just 602 referees have registered so far for the forthcoming season.

Before blowing their first whistle, they must pay £30 to undergo a two-tier course plus a £10 registration fee. And this is before buying their kit.

Mr Masters explained: "The Government requirement for all referees to be checked by the Criminal Records Bureau has caused a great deal of consternation in certain circles.

"It is worrying that at the time of writing this report only 602 have registered in Kent for the forthcoming season."

He added: "While we fully appreciate the need for continual vigilance where the safety of children is concerned, one feels that this whole aspect could have been handled with a great deal more sensitivity.

"After all, the area of the game where children are most vulnerable often has to rely on a non-qualified person to act as referee.

"Much has been said, sometimes emotively. I do not intend to add to that and will comment no further."

A total of 327 people made application to take the referees’ examination of which 257 were successful.

Last season, 1,339 referees registered with the KCFA which represented a shortfall of 197 on the previous year.