THEY may dress in black, but we must surely be beyond the point where referees in local football are treated like pantomime villains to be booed and hissed.

Unfortunately it appears there is still too much unacceptable behaviour towards the men and women in the middle, as is evidenced by the 150 misconduct cases the Oxfordshire FA has had to deal with in the past year.

Now an education scheme for those who have the red mist descend is to be trialled.

Oxfordshire is one of 10 county FAs where spectators, players and officials will be “encouraged” to go on a course to show them the error of their ways, not unlike speed awareness courses.

It is an interesting concept, but one in which there is the underlying concern over its practical application in the real world.

Speed awareness courses and speeding itself, ultimately, have the force of law behind them.

The FAs, however, have no control over spectators, only the club involved. It would surely be a highly regrettable step if a situation deteriorated to the point where a club was so let down by some loudmouthed oaf that it abandoned a game for fear of further sanction.

However our officials do deserve protection and (in reflection of the FA’s campaign) Respect.

Passion is one of the key elements of football, but everyone needs to understand that does not mean bullying, intimidating and abusing volunteers – without whom there would be no game at all – should be considered acceptable.