---
title: Report of alleged assault on referee highlights need for clampdown on abuse in sport - Senator Shane Cassells
description: Report of alleged assault on referee highlights need for clampdown on abuse in sport - Senator Shane Cassells
image: https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/PRShaneCassells.jpg
---

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# Report of alleged assault on referee highlights need for clampdown on abuse in sport - Senator Shane Cassells

 Published on:  01 September 2022

**Senator Shane Cassells has said a reported alleged assault at a GAA match this week has further highlighted the need for a clampdown on abuse in sport. **

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**Senator Cassells was commenting after reports of an alleged assault of a referee at a GAA match in Roscommon, the Meath Senator said: **

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**"This morning we are waking up to shocking reports of an alleged assault of a referee at a GAA match. **

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**"The time to clampdown on abuse in sports was yesterday and we must take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse in sport going forward. **

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**“The stats produced by Dr Noel Brick from Ulster University showed that 94.29% of 438 GAA referees surveyed experienced verbal abuse, with 23.06% reporting physical abuse.**

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**“Last night was a reaffirmation of how real these stats are.**

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**“And online abuse is feeding a lot of the hatred that is then manifesting itself in physical abuse.**

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**“Yesterday veteran GAA referee Maurice Deegan (Laois) came out and said that “social media is a curse on refereeing” and is having a major impact on the recruitment of new match officials.**

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**"Our Oireachtas report on the elimination of abuse in sport set out a number of recommendations namely the removal of funding for organisations who breach codes of conduct. **

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**"This has to be on the table in order to clampdown on the abuse faced by officials, referees and players.**

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**Ends **

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