SOCCER referees in the Thanet area have threatened to strike because of the high number of assaults on officials this season.

The Thanet branch of the Kent Referees’ Association say that there have been nine assaults. The most recent left the victim in need of hospital treatment.

A statement released this week, and signed by branch chairman Colin Ansell, said the decision was made only after “much deliberation”.

The branch say that the number of assaults has reached an unacceptable level and the situation cannot be allowed to continue.

Mr Ansell said: “We are fortunate that this has not yet led to a reduction in the number of referees officiating. However, this may not be the case if there are further occurrences.

“In view of the increasing lack of player discipline referees (both members and non members) will withdraw their co-operation from the Thanet Works League, Thanet Premier Sunday League and Thanet and District Saturday League if there are any further incidents.”

The branch have suggested the leagues introduce a code of conduct for clubs and players to sign before the start of the season.

Simon Haydon, a qualified referee in Maidstone junior leagues, said officials around the country were becoming increasingly fed up with attacks on them.

He added: "One league's referees have already boycotted a weekend's football in Hertfordshire as a result of attacks against them."

Mr Haydon, who is also the Kent Messenger's Head of Sport, stressed: "Referees are pretty thick skinned and have got used to robust criticism over the years, but physical violence takes it onto a totally different and unacceptable level altogether.

"And some of them are saying: we're not going to take it any more."