A CUP match official stretchered away unconscious after being felled by a coin warned today: "This has got to stop - someone is going to get blinded."
The sickening attack on Alan Sheffield, aged 47, from Brownhills, was seen by millions of TV viewers on Saturday.
The FA Cup First Round clash between Newport County and Swan-sea at Spytty Park, Newport, was held up for eight minutes as doctors and medical staff tended to Mr Sheffield on the pitch.
The fourth official, who was bleeding profusely, had two stitches in a head wound after being taken to hospital, and had a severed vein glued.
Mr Sheffield, operations co-ordinator with the waste management section at Walsall Council, was off work today.
He said he had been ordered to rest by doctors and had to cancel a refereeing engagement later this week.
"There was a bit of trouble at the match and we were in the process of dismissing the Newport manager from the bench, which must have incited the crowd," he said.
"There was a hail of coins thrown by supporters, one of which hit me on the back of the head. Two others hit me on the body. As I bent down to pick up the coins, another one was thrown and that struck me on the forehead.
"I was spark out and bleeding badly, apparently. The £1 coin ruptured a vein in my head and I had to have stitches and the vein was glued back together. I felt very groggy afterwards.
"Coin and missile throwing has been happening a number of times at matches in the past week or so and it has got to stop before someone gets blinded," he added.
Mr Sheffield referees in the Conference North and Northern Premier Leagues and has acted as assistant referee in the Premiership and in European matches.
He has 18 months to go before he has to retire from officiating and is determined to see it through.
"What happened to me was very nasty and worrying but I am not going to let the yobs bring my career to a sudden end," he added.
The Football Association has begun an inquiry into Saturday's events and Mr Sheffield has had to submit reports on a number of incidents. Swansea won the game 3-1.
