Youth football in Central Scotland has experienced an "all-time low" in conduct during the opening week of the new season, according to the Central Scotland Football Association. The league recorded a "long list" of discipline issues, including 72 red cards handed out in just seven days.
Among the incidents reported was a team official headbutting another official at a football festival, witnessed by children as young as five and six years old. The league also heard reports of discriminatory language used by players against other players, and by adults against minors, alongside "team officials threatening minors".
League Secretary Paul Crosbie stated in an email to team managers that "the line has well and truly been crossed." Several games were abandoned due to "team officials looking to go fighting with other team officials." Police are currently involved in one case following reports of threats and possible hate-related language during a game.
The league's executive and disciplinary committees are now reviewing these cases, which could lead to the suspension of fixtures for some teams and clubs. Investigations are ongoing, and no individuals, teams, or clubs have been named at this stage.