I won't quit, says teenage referee punched in the face by a player

Liam Hatch needed stitches to his chin after the attack on the pitch
13 April 2012

A teenage football referee is refusing to give in to thuggery despite having been attacked on the pitch for the third time in 12 months.

In the latest assault, 17-year-old Liam Hatch was punched in the face by a player as he refereed adults in a five-a-side match.

Last night, police were investigating the incident in Totton, Hampshire, which left the teenager needing four stitches in his chin after he sustained cuts and bruises and a badly swollen jaw.

Two previous attacks saw Liam kicked in the calf by an angry parent following a youth six-a-side tournament and being pushed to the ground by a player during another youth fixture last year.

Despite the latest incident, Liam, a student from Southampton, insists he won't be walking away from the game.

He said: "I don't remember a lot about the attack. I turned around and the player just smacked me in the face.

"People have told me he hit me twice but I can't remember the second one."

Liam is paid around £25 a game in fees.

"Because I am a full-time student, refereeing is a way I can earn money," he added.

His brother Jamie, 19, gave up refereeing because of the amount of abuse he received.

Liam's father, Steve Hatch, is also a referee and has been attacked twice. He said: "It is outrageous that a referee has to stand there and be threatened, intimidated or assaulted and cannot defend himself.

"It is my contention that before very long there will be an assault resulting in serious injury, permanent disability or even death."

The player who punched Liam has been banned for life by the local league and is due to be interviewed by Hampshire Police.

The FA is suffering from a shortfall of around 3,000 referees.

On average, 7,500 recruits register each season but 2,000 quit because of abuse from players and spectators.

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