The abuse levelled at amateur rugby referees can get "aggressive" and "inappropriate", a former referee has said.

With Connacht winger Mack Hansen set to appear before a disciplinary committee in relation to comments he made about the referee, a former referee is highlighting the lack of protection amateur referees receive.

On The Pat Kenny Show, former director of referees at the Irish Rugby Football Union Owen Doyle said the abuse of referees in the professional sphere is "very unusual".

"There’s a very good system if a coach or a player wants to complain," he said.

"They can complain straight to the URC referee manager and they can send in video clips for which they can get answers.

"There's a learning curve on both sides - that works very well."

Amateur game

In the amateur game, however, referees are more at risk of abuse, Mr Doyle said.

"It’s really tough on a referee who has got no support who suddenly after a match gets levelled with abuse," he said.

"I don’t think referees are particularly precious about themselves – they know they’re going to get comments -  but when it gets aggressive and the language used is completely inappropriate, and people are very much in their face – he’s going to feel afraid."

For a safer atmosphere at games, Mr Doyle encourages amateur referees to report abuse through the IRFU.

"[The referee] is obliged, in my view, for the sake of all other referees to report [abuse]," he said.

A rugby pitch in Ilkley Yorkshire UK with a respect the referee sign, Alamy

"In fairness to the IRFU they have now agreed in all provinces that they will use the World Rugby Suspensions and Sanctions [guidelines] against that level of abuse.

"For example, if [an abusive] letter is sent in, the starting point for suspension is 12 weeks and that is before any mitigation or aggravating considerations are put into the sanction."

You can read the IRFU's Sanctions Guidelines here.

Feature image: A Rugby Union referee holds a flag behind his back.