'We must support young referees' mental health'

Peter Walton officiated in the Premier League between 2003 and 2012

A former Premier League referee has said it is "so, so important" that the mental health of young officials is supported.

Peter Walton, from Northamptonshire, was an official in the top flight of English football between 2003 and 2012 and now works as a pundit.

Mr Walton said abuse faced by referees at all levels was a "societal and cultural issue".

Last year, data gathered by the Football Association (FA) revealed a rise in allegations of serious offences against match officials in grassroots football.

Mr Walton, 64, was speaking ahead of an event at the University of Northampton on Tuesday looking at the issue of referees' mental health.

The free talk will take place from 19:00 BST at the Learning Hub building and will be co-hosted by BBC Radio Northampton's Graham McKechnie and Lennie Newman.

Mr Walton said: "People must realise that sometimes the standard of football that people are playing in is the standard of the refereeing because of the experience of the official.

"I’ve listened to games where young lads and young girls are trying their fledgling careers and being abused for really no sense whatsoever. At that age, that sort of abuse is hard to take and also defend.

"It’s all very well and good being physically ready for a game, ready to run those miles, but it’s your brain that gets you through that game. It’s the unknown and unseen that gets you through the game and it’s important for people to realise that."

Mr Walton, who began refereeing at the age of 25, said that mentoring and buddy schemes were in place to encourage more referees into the game.

He said: "We want young people to enjoy [refereeing] the game and if possible make a career out of the game."