Violence in youth football: referee brutally attacks in Bad Ems!

Violence in youth football: referee brutally attacks in Bad Ems!

During a D-Youth football game in Bad Ems, Rhineland-Palatinate, there was a terrifying incident that once again focuses on the current problem of violence in amateur football. On April 10, 2025, spectators were dissatisfied with a decision by the 42-year-old referee, which resulted in a palpable attack. According to n-tv.de entered two or three male spectators. Among them was a 35-year-old man who insulted the referee while another, initially unknown perpetrator suddenly hit her in the face and threatened her.

This incident led to the game had to be canceled, and the referee went into medical treatment. The police have initiated investigations and asks possible witnesses to report. Such attacks on referees are not new, and the issue of violence in football is a recurring problem that includes both mental and physical dimensions.

violence in amateur football

rbb24 are typical verbal violent incidents are insulting and discrimination, while cases of physical violence are often stroked and threats.

Between 25% of the incidents in the 2021/22 season were verbal in nature, as were another quarter. It is particularly striking that violence often occurs in the second half and in the final phases of the games. Especially since referees represent a vulnerable group, they are often in imbalance to players and spectators.

measures for violence prevention

In order to counteract the growing problem, measures have already been initiated by the associations and associations. The German Football Association (DFB) has launched various programs for violence prevention, such as the concept "Fair is more", which bundles existing offers for violence prevention and intervention. This concept provides, among other things, that violence in football should be recognized early and counteracted accordingly, so reports dfb.de .

from contact points for reports on cases of violence and discrimination against sanctions through sports courts are implemented by various strategies in order to minimize violence in front of and on the square. Referees can also set high standards in violence prevention by intervening at first signs of violence and consistently against attacks.

The problem of violence in football is complex and requires a joint commitment of everyone involved to create a safe and respectful environment for players, referees and spectators. The events in Bad Ems are another alarm call, which underlines the need for more intensive preventive measures.