ABUSIVE footballers are facing bans after “disgusting” attacks on referees during Sunday league matches.

The Sussex Sunday Football League posted about incidents where a player reportedly spat in a referee’s face during one game, while another was nearly headbutted.

Teams have condemned the incidents, which are now under investigation by Sussex County Football Association.

Severe

In a statement on Twitter, the league said players face “severe” consequences for attacking or abusing referees.

It was reported that one player who spat at a referee has been banned for life by one team in the league.

The league said: “After the disgusting scenes today where one referee was spat at and another had an attempted headbutt incident.

“Please note we will no longer tolerate this behaviour to referees.

“We are one of most proactive and Progressive men’s leagues in Sussex and this cannot continue.

“This disgusting behaviour will be dealt with efficiently and severely.”

Players called on the league to “name and shame” the players, but the incidents are under investigation.

One player told The Argus: “I saw the referee wiping his face, and afterwards he told us he had been spat at.

“He had made some pretty difficult decisions, that resulted in anger that was simply not justified.

“People have to understand that referees are going out of their way to earn a minimal amount of money.

“They don’t deserve the scrutiny that they go under in games. They get a lot of scrutiny at the top level which is difficult enough, nevermind a non-competitive game in a Sunday league.”

On Twitter another player said: “Sadly this isn’t a surprise. Sunday league is filled with people that seemingly go out with this mindset. Hope the officials are OK and the clubs in question face serious sanctions. I wouldn’t want to ref a Sunday league game, so kudos to those that give up their time to do so.”

After the incidents, the Sussex Sunday Football League said the standard disciplinary action that players could face for an assault on a referee is a five year ban.

Sanctions

There are also sanctions for physical contact with a match official or for making threats.

In a statement Sussex County FA said: “We are aware of the incidents and are dealing with them in accordance with The FA rules and regulations associated with discipline matters.”