Football's referee crisis: we asked thousands of refs about the abuse and violence that's driving them out of the game

I had to abandon a game last season because of threats made by a spectator. This wasn't a snap decision for me - I am a police officer and deal with abuse on a daily basis. The difference here was that I referee to enjoy football, and no one has the right to put my safety at risk when I expect to go home to my children. Players, coaches and spectators appear to believe it is a right to abuse the referee. (Grassroots re