NC State investigating fans’ treatment of referees

NC State fans were livid with game officials following Saturday’s 38-31 loss to Clemson. The furor stemmed from not only the loss, but an illegal shift penalty that cost Wolfpack a first down inside the 10 with only seconds remaining.

As the final seconds ticked away and officials began to exit the field, they were met with a chorus of profanities and more. Some fans appeared to spit on the referees, while others were seen throwing objects and alcohol.

NC State fans throwing objects and spitting on refs leaving the field. #fansnothappy #acc pic.twitter.com/NZw7I5L7bu

— billy weaver (@billyweaver14) November 4, 2017

On Monday, University police issued a statement seeking more information about the fans who were seen throwing objects.

The NC State University Police Department is seeking information about an incident which occurred at the November 4, 2017 home football game @ Carter-Finley Stadium. If anyone has information about the identities of persons shown in the below video who are throwing objects at the referees as they departed the playing surface, please call the NC State University Police Department by calling 919-515-3000. Thank you for your assistance.

Additionally, NC State also announced on Monday that it would increase its security of officials and visiting teams at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 25 when North Carolina comes to town for the final home game of the season.

“We have both police and event staff escort game officials at their every move on game days, which has worked very well historically,” NC State athletics spokesman Fred Demarest said in an email to the News Observer. “Moving forward, we will have an increased security presence in the stands near the tunnels used by officials and the visiting team to best protect both groups.”

Losing is never fun for anyone, but the reaction of NC State’s fans was and is completely unacceptable.