SUFFOLK referees have been reminded of their responsibilities following two recent incidents.

One official was suspended for a month for applying the wrong rules and another fined �35 for posting inappropriate material on a social networking site.

The referee who was suspended was disciplined after applying the wrong rules for a league cup match in Cambridgeshire. He decided to reduce the length of the game which contravened the competition rules and resulted in the league reporting him to Suffolk FA.

The official was charged with failing to fulfil his duties following an investigation. He admitted to the offence and he was suspended for one month.

Colin Hills, the county’s referee development manager, said: “Suffolk FA urges every official in the county to make sure they are familiar with the rules of the competition they are refereeing before entering the field of play. Just as players and coaching staff are charged when they break the rules, we at Suffolk FA will hold referees to the same exacting standards.”

A teenage referee from Suffolk was fined after posting inappropriate material on his Facebook wall following a moment of high jinks while officiating at an international tournament in Norway along with other officials from England.

As there had been guidance issued along with regular warnings to referees both in the county and nationally about posting inappropriate material on social networking sites, the disciplinary commission decided to fine the youngster �35.

Hills said: “Suffolk FA realises that it is impossible to prevent youngsters from using social networking sites such as Facebook. However, I would urge referees to seriously think about what they upload and post.

“Officials should avoid posting anything that may prejudice a match they are about to referee or anything which could bring the game into disrepute.”