Football League referee Michael Oliver has thrown his weight behind The FA's Respect campaign after explaining that refereeing youth matches can be more daunting than taking charge of a Football League match.
Oliver explained that refereeing youth matches watched by a small group of parents can often be more intimidating than taking charge of a Football League match watched by thousands.
Talking to The Northumberland Journal, the 23-year-old referee said that refereeing youth matches can provide a real test for an official.
"It is probably the U15 and U16 level that is the hardest. You go there and you are surrounded by people you don’t know.
"You are one of about 50 people at the pitch and you are there by yourself, out in the middle.
"You have a game to referee but the parents are right on the sidelines and are close enough to get involved.
"It is a lot more daunting than the Football League."
Oliver, who started refereeing as a 14-year-old, has experienced most levels of the domestic game during a rapid rise through the refereeing ranks. He explained that while refereeing some youth matches can be particularly daunting, these games are still in the minority.
"The problem you have is that there are a lot of games happening on a weekend, and in most nothing happens," he said.
"It is probably 99 out of 100 that are fine, but then you tend to hear about the one game where there is an incident.
"Most of the time with parents it is not malicious.
"They see their son or daughter getting fouled and will say something, and then the parent of the other player will have a go back.
"Usually it is just a case of enthusiasm going too far."
These incidents may be in the minority, but they are driving officials out of the game, with hundreds of referees quitting the sport as a result of the abuse suffered while officiating matches.
FA's Respect campaign aims to help improve standards of behaviour during matches, and Oliver is fully behind the initiative.
"The Respect campaign will play a big part, but there are a number of things that will make a difference," he said.
"There are people who have played Sunday morning football for 10 or 15 years and you aren’t going to change them.
"But you can change the kids coming through. You’ll never get rid of it entirely, but it will certainly help.
"I personally don't think we are that far away from where we want to be – it is one in 100 – but this will all help."
