The attack on a PIAA sports official highlights the growing trend of violence against referees

PERRY COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) – A PIAA referee is injured after being attacked following a junior varsity game in Crawford County.

According to police, Brandon Teed knocked the referee to the ground, causing minor injuries.

Although this incident occurred in western Pennsylvania, the trend of attacks on sports officials is increasing across the country.

CBS21’s Maxine Rose got the reaction of local parents and coaches to the allegations and what impact they think they are having on the game.

Some parents told Maxine they didn’t realize that interacting with referees was a big problem at Susquenita High School.

However, the coach said that this problem affects everyone and affects every game.

“It sucks because look at what we have in the District III area. We’re down with the officials as they are,” said Joe Chrismer, head coach of the Susquenita High School football team.

While tackles should be left to the players on the field, that wasn’t the case when Teed, 34, attacked an official in Meadville on Thursday.

Officials say incidents like this have only contributed to the referee shortage.

“It is a difficult situation to deal with. And it begs the question: Why would they want to put themselves out there – and take care of themselves – to do something they enjoy?” said Robert Roth, a former soccer player at Susquenita HS and a relative of Susquenita HS a current player.

“My criticism is if you think you’re that good then go out there and do it yourself. “It’s not an easy task and I know I can be tough on the referees but at the end of the day I’m respectful “What they do,” Chrismer said. “I mean, there’s no reason to attack each other or even talk to a referee after a game.”

In a statement following Thursday’s attack, the PIAA said:

We have been made aware of an attack on a PIAA sports official following a District X junior high football game. PIAA does not tolerate such acts. We will pursue this case to the fullest extent of the law. Luckily, the PIAA official who was attacked is fine and in good spirits.

PIAA does not tolerate abuse of PIAA athletic officials. Thank you to everyone who came to the officer’s aid after this incident.

As for legislation, some efforts have been made, such as Senate Bill 842.

In a memo written by the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jimmy Dillon (R-Phila.), he said it would increase penalties for attacking a referee. Penalties are currently only considered first-degree misdemeanors.

“More than half of them had to break up an argument. Over two-thirds of them kicked out viewers. There is the data and research to go with this matter. I’m not necessarily introducing this bill or looking at it from a standpoint where I want all these crazy punishments or all these charges and so on to be brought against people, I’m doing it for the attention to make the office safe again can be,” said Senator Dillon.

The bill is currently stalled in the House of Representatives.

But the parents Maxine spoke to on Friday said they firmly believe that when something like yesterday happens, it should be taken seriously.

“Now there are about five, six, seven police officers walking around. It’s like you never thought something like this would happen, but it will happen eventually. Hopefully it will never happen here or anywhere else I ever visit, but I won’t know until it does,” Roth said.

PIAA officials at Friday’s Susquenita High School game declined to comment.