The referee was reportedly physically confronted by spectators after walking off the pitch at La Trobe University in Wodonga.

He is said to be OK after the incident, but the matter has been reported to Football Victoria.

Albury Wodonga Soccer Referees Association secretary Sean Farrar said it was time to make a stand because abuse of referees continued to go unpunished by clubs and governing bodies.

“The AWSRA executive has informed Football Victoria that, until this case is dealt with in full, no AWSRA member will be appointed to any senior NPL trial match in the Albury-Wodonga area,” he said. “For far too long, referees and other officials have been abused, sworn at, threatened, intimidated and, on occasion, assaulted.

“For what? Over some decision he or she makes on a field where a bunch of players are kicking and chasing a ball full of air.”

The boycott will continue “until this case is dealt with in full”.

Murray United chairman Darren Yates said no action had been taken as the club had not received a complaint.

“Murray United Football Club has a strong working relationship with Albury Wodonga Soccer Referees Association for the past five years, which we look forward to continuing,” he said.

“Our club has a zero tolerance approach to spectator behaviour which threatens the safety of referees and is contrary to our code of conduct. 

“We have appropriate processes to work through in relation to incidents reported to the club.”

With soccer still in pre-season, there were no points on the line in Saturday’s game.

“A father, a husband, someone's son, a friend, walked out onto a field to run around for 90 minutes to blow a whistle and allow 22 players to have a trial match,” Mr Farrer said.

“However, someone decided that it meant a lot more than that, someone decided to ruin the night for everyone. From there it escalated. Even worse, the member's wife witnessed the incident.”

Saturday assault was the last straw for the referees association, which has had enough of abuse in soccer and all of society.

“Members of the public think it is their right to turn up to a game of sport, drink alcohol and abuse officials,” Mr Farrar said.

“Incidents like Saturday night are not isolated – they are happening all the time to various degrees, at all levels of the game.

“Too many times, I've been witness to junior referees being abused by an adult because they didn't agree to a decision.

“I've witnessed a crowd of men attempt to surround a 15-year-old kid because they didn't like his decision to blow full time when time was up.”

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He said that although referees can make mistakes, they are doing their best in the moment and do not go out to deliberately ruin someone’s day.

“Every member deserves the right to go about their games, knowing they are safe from bullies,” he said.

“They don’t see the tears, the depression, the doubts that they've caused.

“People need to be held accountable for their actions.

“As officials, we can keep sending reports into the governing bodies, but unless they act and are seen to be acting by letting the football community know the outcomes, then this kind of behaviour will continue.”

Referees are paid to officiate in matches, but use part of the money in the club canteen or for transport costs.

Mr Farrar said like players, referees get involved in soccer because they enjoy the sport.

“If everyone could start showing a little more respect, then just maybe we could get the game back to what it's meant to be, a game,” he said.

Football Victoria has been contacted for comment.