This is a first for me. I did a game yesterday where a load of teenagers came into the ground at the beginning of the second half and were loudly abusing everyone. As far as I could tell they weren't affiliated with either team. Some of the players complained to me, including saying that the club asst on that side was also getting abused (this is where I think I could/should have intervened). I'd been saying to ignore them - and also that the only thing I could do would be to call on the home team to ask them to leave otherwise I'd have to abandon the game - I was concerned that would be an overreaction and might escalate things further anyway (it was quite a tense match as it was).
Anyway, with about 10 mins to go all hell broke loose in the stand and I got myself over there quickly as players from both sides confronted these lads. At that point I asked one of the players to bring their manager over, but before they arrived the boys left. I did apologise to the players afterwards for not taking action earlier, but on replaying events in my mind I'm still not sure whether it would have helped or not. Perhaps there was a middle ground where I reported my concerns to the home team and got them involved earlier? On the other hand spectators are often vocal and abusive, and we rarely acknowledge it at all.
So, just wondered what the great and good on here think?
Anyway, with about 10 mins to go all hell broke loose in the stand and I got myself over there quickly as players from both sides confronted these lads. At that point I asked one of the players to bring their manager over, but before they arrived the boys left. I did apologise to the players afterwards for not taking action earlier, but on replaying events in my mind I'm still not sure whether it would have helped or not. Perhaps there was a middle ground where I reported my concerns to the home team and got them involved earlier? On the other hand spectators are often vocal and abusive, and we rarely acknowledge it at all.
So, just wondered what the great and good on here think?