PROTECTING FOOTBALL REFEREES

Early day motion 914, tabled 14 March 2005 by Lord Stratford (Labour). Signed by 42 members.

That this House notes with regret and concern the growing tendency for football players to seek to intimidate and influence the decision-making of match officials during the course of a game; and calls upon the English football authorities to punish most severely any player who verbally or physically abuses the match referee or his or her assistants.

Signatures by party: Labour 28, Liberal Democrat 7, DUP 3, Labour/Co-operative 2, Conservative 1, UUP 1.