The withdrawal of referees from hundreds of underage football matches in the Dublin area is a wake-up call to leagues around the country, according to a former referee.
Over 500 matches have been postponed due to what has been described as 'constant abuse' of referees.
The FAI has threatened punishment of those who are found to have abused refs, adding that it won't be tolerated.
Former referee Harry McCann, who gave it up due to abuse and threats he faced, says this action is unprecedented but should serve as a wake-up call:
"I think there was always the comment that if there's no referee, there's no game on."
"Many people thought that was an empty sound bite or threat."
"But it's very much a reality now this weekend."
"A lot of people sitting at home wondering whether there's going to be a game the following week where this is going to happen in their area."
"I think that that you probably a welcome message being sent by the league by the referees to say this won't be accepted.
