Cologne referees went ahead with a strike on Sunday, protesting against growing violence at local-level matches, APA reports citing DW.
A total of 76 amateur league matches in the amateur Kreisliga Sunday league were due to take place, but most were canceled because of the collective action, according to German local media WDR.
Worst hit were matches in the Kreisliga A division, though the strike affected divisions A to D.
Members of the Cologne Referee Committee reached the decision that it would not provide referees for the amateur level matches earlier this week.
The committee mentioned particular incidents against its members in an online statement posted on Facebook.
During a match between Blau-Weiss Köln and Germania Ossendorf on November 3, a referee was verbally abused and physically attacked by members of the away team and also had a glass bottle thrown at him after awarding three goals to Blau-Weiss Köln.
The statement also highlighted incidents of racist abuse and spitting.
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
