By a miracle of 'chance', my son was playing in the game (for the Away side who were winning 0-1) and I was the away team Club Assistant Referee. It was indeed a League decider. No Referee was appointed to the game. I've complained to the League as it was a virtual certainty the game would go pear shaped without a Ref. The appointed parent referee was left in an unfair predicament, but that's not his fault. The event was somewhat challenging to Referee, so it's too much to ask of a parent
Also, there was no respect barrier, so dozens of spectators were spilling onto the pitch
The Home Team Assistant Referee was drawing attention to himself. He must have flagged a dozen times to get his side a free kick or foul throw or whatever. The absence of a respect barrier led to an altercation between CAR and parent.... the two squared up and the parent attempted to strike the CAR. It's put me in an awkward position as I've had to submit an ER against a parent I'm acquaintances with.
Typical kids football. Parents left to officiate, struggle with neutrality and understandably lack the skills needed to get the game done. Tempers get flared. Adults spoil the game. A lot of silly behaviour by a number of people but can't condone throwing a punch at a kids footy match under any circumstances
FWIW, we couldn't win the League, by winning the game, we would come up two points short. But by beating the opposition, it would hand the League to another local side, all of whom were there to watch the game. So, probably about 60 parents and kids spectating, from three different clubs, all very close to the pitch (if not on it at times!). All the ingredients from the recipe for mayhem melting in the pot. The parent was led away, game abandoned, it settled down quite quickly because most of the remaining parents were sensible and polite to one another. Home Team Manager wanted an abandonment. I wasn't going to advise against that course of action, so that was it. Got a bit sun burnt for good measure
The Culture of the Game I'm afraid