A referee who was assaulted after a soccer match in the midlands over the weekend has been hospitalised with serious facial injuries.

Daniel Sweeney was attacked in a car park after a match between Mullingar Town and Horseleap, and allegedly had to take refuge in one of the team's dressing rooms.

Does this incident reflect a disrespect for referees across all sports?

Chris Hand, Secretary of the Combined Counties Football League, says that while there have been incidents before, this is "unprecedented".

"We have 40-45 games every weekend and we never have any issues in terms of the level of violence Daniel was subjected to yesterday. This transcends sport."

"We will impose the highest possible sanctions that we can after our investigation."

Kieran Cunningham, chief sports writer with the Irish Daily Star, says it's a societal issue rather than an issue with any particular sport.

"There's a really wrongheaded attitude out there towards officials."

To catch the full chat press the play button on the image on the top of the screen