5 Live Investigates - Cricket Umpire Abuse

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Umpires in amateur cricket are giving up the game because of an increase in verbal and physical abuse from players and outbreaks of violence on the pitch. 5 live Investigates reveals that half of all umpires who took part in a survey say they have been verbally abused and 40 per cent are thinking of giving up the game altogether. One umpire says he's been spat at and is verbally abused in every game. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Marleybone Cricket Club (MCC) - the guardians of the sport - say this kind of behaviour threatens the very future of the game.

Published on Sunday, 6th November 2016.

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