A REFEREE from Worcestershire who gave rowdy spectators the red card at a football match has quit, claiming football bosses have failed to back him.

Malcolm Murray suspended a match between junior sides Malvern Town Wanderers and Hadley Rangers earlier this year, saying the behaviour of visiting supporters was the worst he had ever seen.

At the time, Mr Murray ended the match after just 20 minutes of play and was met with an angry response from parents - who invaded the pitch.

But the referee said 11 of the 12 points made in his match report have been ignored by the Worcestershire Football Association - causing him to quit.

"Worcestershire FA has been spineless and gutless," said the 58-year-old.

"It is the worst decision I have ever heard in sport.

"The people at adult matches behave like adults, but what you have at children's matches are adults behaving like children."

Now, the referee of 28 years, who has also coached senior and junior squash teams, has revealed his fears for the future of the profession.

"People will look at this and think they can shout anything at the referee because there won't be any consequences," he said.

"There is nothing referees can say back without getting in trouble and now we don't even have the support of the FA.

"I've been on talk shows for Radio Belfast and Radio New York and they have a much better attitude," he said.

"America has just held a 'Silent Saturday' where spectators were banned from shouting from the sidelines.

"That would be a great idea over here."

Mr Murray, from Upton-upon-Severn, said the trouble he had from aggressive parents outweighed the enjoyment he got from the job.

This morning, the former Torquay United and Stockport County player received an offer to coach senior and junior teams at a squash club and said that in light of recent events, he was likely to accept it.

The Worcestershire FA declined to comment.