Over 2,000 referees went on strike over the weekend in an attempt to protest against and raise awareness of abuse faced by officials at all levels of football.
The action led to a large number of games being postponed across the UK, as well as a message of support from a current Premier League referee, although it is also reported that some referees decided against striking after being told it could reflect negatively on their career.
Ryan Hampson, an 18-year-old official from Manchester, was one of the organisers of the strike and was happy with its outcome after being headbutted, spat at and punched during his four years refereeing.
"The take-up has been a lot better than we'd hoped but this doesn't just stop now," he told the Guardian. "This has touched a nerve with referees all over the UK and we will keep going until we get the changes they need, because they are getting abused on a regular basis and it's still not being addressed.
"Some FAs are bringing in new policies but others aren't budging and it's really disappointing because the message I'm getting is that they don't want to help their referees."
The introduction of body cameras is something Hampson and his colleagues advocate in an attempt to cut down on abuse.
"I think they will be introduced, and if not then we may look at another strike although it's not something I am keen on doing," Hampson said. "Change will happen and I don't believe it's a case of 'if' or 'how' after what we've done -- it's a case of 'when.'
"The FA can't turn a blind eye to this, it's there in black and white. They've got to protect their referees otherwise there'll be no ref, no game, no league and no grassroots."