Two Donalsonville referees were attacked after a youth football game in Blakely

BLAKELY, Ga. (WTVY) – Two Donalsonville referees are looking for answers after they say they were attacked at a youth football game last weekend.

After a match between the Dirty South Bills and the Early County Bobcats Youth Program, referee Richard Martin says both he and his son were attacked by angry coaches and parents.

Martin has been a referee for 25 years. This game was the first time his son served as a referee.

Martin said that after everything he had experienced, that game was his last in youth football.

According to News4, it started when parents accused the referees of pushing a child while breaking up an argument during the game.

Martin says this is not true and there is no video evidence to support this claim.

A coach’s wife got a video of what happened after the game.

Angry parents stormed the field along with two Early County coaches.

They could be seen attacking Martin’s son and then turning on him.

Martin said although they did not start the fight, he and his son were arrested and taken to the police station.

They were later released.

Martin said it was hard to deal with this entire situation.

“We could have been killed out there. It was that bad. We were hit in the head by a few shots that would have killed some people if hit in the wrong direction. It’s not safe. “The parents are more worried about the game than the kids, it’s not safe anymore, so this is probably my last year at Pop Warner,” Martin said.

Another referee present and a coach from the visiting team told similar stories about the incident.

Because of this, the Early County Youth Team was eliminated from playoff competition.

Martin wants to press charges and wants those responsible to be held accountable.

News4 reached out to the Early County Youth Program but we have not heard back.

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