Minister of Public Service, Consumer Affairs and Sports, Hon. Frederick Stephenson, has responded to the recent acts of violence meted out to Football referees.
Stephenson, as he addressed the signing ceremony for the lighting project at the Brighton Playing Field, last Monday, October 9, 2023, used the occasion to warn youths to desist from any forms of violence, especially in sports.
“We have to continue to speak to our children and let them always know that it is a game; it is a sport, somebody must win somebody must lose… Everybody can’t be a winner”, Stephenson cautioned.
Stephenson was referring to an incident which took place at the Campden Park Playing Field on Thursday October 5, in which referee – Lorson Lewis was physically assaulted by some players.
The incident occurred during an Under-17 match between Largo Height and Layou in the SVGFF’s National Club Championships.
Condemning the incident, Stephenson further admonished, “Persons have to respect the umpires’ and referees’ decisions. We can’t go about threatening and wanting to fight a referee or umpire …It is not good for you… It is not good for the sport”.