SOUTHAMPTON youth football bosses are considering introducing a code of conduct in a bid to kick foul-mouthed parents into touch.

Offensive touchline behaviour is forcing a growing number of referees in Hampshire to hang up their whistles.

And a rising tide of red and yellow cards are also being issued to child players for abusing officials - some of whom are as young as 14 years old.

A code of conduct covering spectator behaviour already exists in the North East Hampshire Youth League.

Now Southampton District Tyrol League says if the problem gets worse, it may do the same.

Martin Penfold, general secretary, admits that abusive parents can be a real problem at matches.

"If a referee awards a foul against a ten-year-old and his father on the touchline starts abusing the referee the child gets confused about the way he ought to behave on the pitch.

"It is not a good example to be setting. I think we as a society are breeding contempt for people in authority we used to respect.

"We have rules covering the behaviour of clubs, players and spectators but if the situation got worse we would look at introducing a code of conduct."

A growing number of referees - including many teenagers - are pulling out of the game because of abuse. Across Hampshire the fall-out rate after three seasons is a staggering 75 per cent.

Chaz Morrison, county referee training officer, believes around 20 per cent are packing in because of parental abuse at youth games.

He believes codes of conduct should be introduced by all Hampshire youth leagues.

"In theory referees have the power to ask home league officials to control their spectators.

"But if you are a 14-year-old in your first refereeing season that is easier said than done.

"A code sets down standards of behaviour to create a league for sporting young people rather than one where the ethos is to win at all costs.

"Encouraging your offspring from the sidelines is fine but using offensive or abusive language to do so is not acceptable.

"It would not be allowed in the workplace and should not be tolerated in a public park where there are young children.

"Football is a passionate game but it is not helped by parents putting pressure on their own offspring by screaming abuse or encouraging them to hurt other players."

County Football Association secretary Ray Barnes said he welcomed the idea of leagues adopting codes of conduct in a further bid to crack down on over-enthusiastic parents.

"I would congratulate any league which takes any action to try and stop the abuse of referees," added Mr Barnes.

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