An U12s hurling match in Waterford was called off early on Monday evening due to alleged verbal abuse of the referee from a spectator.
The game had thrown-in at 6.15 pm but was brought to a premature halt.
The Waterford County Board issued a statement to WLR FM radio station over the matter.
READ MORE: GAA has reached "crisis point" over referee assaults says Wexford chief
It read: ‘’Waterford GAA can confirm that an under 12 game was prematurely terminated on Monday September 26th and the matter is now being dealt with by the Bord na nÓg Competitions Control committee.
"There will be no further comment at this time."
This ugly incident is the latest in a long line of alleged verbal abuse and even physical assault of GAA officials to make the news of late.
Alarmingly, these cases tend to involve a non-player being the source of the alleged abuse.
Earlier in the week, referees in Wexford voted on whether or not to go on strike in response to one of their fraternity allegedly being assaulted during a game.
A garda investigation is ongoing in that case.
While the Wexford officials ultimately opted not to strike after negotiations with the county board, a plan promoting respectful behaviour towards refs will be implemented from U11s all the way up to adult level.
And prior to all games for the remainder of this year, players, team mentors and referees will line up for a ‘Give Respect – Get Respect’ handshake prior to the game.
Wexford GAA will call for a Special Congress at the next meeting of the GAA’s Central Council.
This will seek to put in place the option of lifetime bans from the GAA for anyone who assaults a referee, and an overhaul of the GAA disciplinary system.
Minister for State for Sport Jack Chambers meanwhile has addressed the issue on a national scale.
Last week, he told RTE: "I think it is an issue, there's no shying away from it. It's an issue in our own county but also an issue across sport in Ireland, but certainly in the GAA, we've seen incidents in other counties as well.
"We have had a number of serious incidents, I would say, potentially less serious than what we're talking about today and they have been dealt with very severely by our disciplinary committee.
"But the fact that you have that to deal with in the first instance is very disappointing and it's one that we're constantly reminding clubs of.
"When Larry McCarthy became president I remember talking to him and saying the number one issue for the association at the moment is the recruitment and retention of referees.
"We in Wexford and in other counties, I've seen online promoting the recruitment of referees - we have dropped referees from upwards of 70 a number of years ago to just over 50.
"That has implications obviously for being able to run a Games programme. We have had a small number of games that haven't been able to go ahead.
"From talking to other county chairman, that is an issue across a number of different counties and across a number of different codes as well."
READ NEXT:
Crisis narrowly avoided as late Robbie Brady penalty gives Ireland win over Armenia after implosion
Kinahan cartel mobster Liam Byrne filmed hanging out with Premier League football manager
Video appears to show Israel U21 manager slap his own player during Ireland game
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
