A LEADING junior football referee has turned his back on the sport after suffering verbal abuse during and after a match.

Scott Waters, from Sittingbourne, withdrew from the Wilson Fun Company Sheppey Sunday League after a heated Division 1 game between F&G Bapchild and Fox and Goose on November 24.

Mr Waters, 32, said: “The Fox and Goose player responsible has been reported to the county so I cannot comment on the incident in case he appeals. But basically, it was a derby game, There appeared to be hidden agendas and two players got rather carried away.”

Mr Waters has been officiating in the Sheppey Sunday League for six years and feels the level of verbal abuse aimed at the men in black has been getting worse.

He stressed: “It seems to be becoming a common problem. I can put up with anything on the pitch, but as far as I’m concerned once the whistle has blown it’s game over. I was not going to tolerate that kind of abuse.”

Andrew Bolton, the league secretary, said: “I’m appalled. He’s not soft, but a strong and fair referee and in my opinion one of the best we’ve got.”