New rules are due to come into effect after a soccer referee was badly assaulted in Co Offaly.
Daniel Sweeney underwent a five hour operation yesterday after being beaten up last weekend following the match in Horseleap.
The Irish Soccer Referees Society met with officials from the FAI last night to discuss ways to stop people verbally and physically abusing referees.
President Paul O'Brien says they are looking at introducing a tiered system of suspensions.
"We have agreed to form a working group and we hope to have the new rules implemented by the middle of January at the FAI EGM."
