Rugby fans tackle touchline abuse

Welsh refs Nigel Williams and Nigel Whitehouse at the World Cup

Rugby referees in Wales have welcomed a stand by supporters of one club to tackle abuse from the touchline.

Match officials say they are increasingly targeted by vicious and spiteful language from spectators in both the professional and grassroots game.

Members of the Llanelli Scarlets Supporters' Club were so incensed at their last home match they have promised to inform police or club stewards of anyone swearing at the referee or opposition players.

The Welsh Rugby Union's director of match officials, Robert Yeman, said it would be welcomed by all in the game.

We don't want Stradey Park to become a place where fans and youngsters can't feel comfortable Supporters chairman Jason Richards

He said referees enjoyed banter with the crowd, but in recent years the language used by a minority of spectators, not specifically in Llanelli but at many grounds in Wales, had become unacceptable.

"There is no doubt the referees would welcome an initiative of this sort," he said.

"Over the past few years there's been a tendency to make the referee the butt of the anger of the fans.

"This has become not only about them but about their families as well.

"It's an offence to say such things in the street and it has no place in the game of rugby."

Mr Yeman said referees had the power to report players and club officials for abusive behaviour and they could then face sanctions from the WRU.

But spectators were causing more problems and that was putting off referees from officiating at matches, particularly at grassroots level.

The Llanelli supporters' club has taken exception to the way that some of their own supporters treated the referee at their home Heineken Cup game against the French side Agen.

Supporters' club chairman Jason Richards said: "A vocal minority have caused embarrassment to the club, team and genuine supporters.

"We, the supporters club, recognise the fact that we have a responsibility to present a positive image of the club. The chanting at the last home game is the last straw.

"As from now, we will personally report any abusive language to the stewards or police ourselves, and we will do it publicly.

"We are not prepared to let the name of the Llanelli Scarlets be dragged into the gutter.

"We don't want Stradey Park to become a place where fans and youngsters can't feel comfortable.

"We are not prepared to let the tiny minority spoil an otherwise enjoyable experience."