FREDERICK, Md. — Republican gubernatorial hopeful Blaine Young says he regrets swearing at a 17-year-old referee after a basketball game involving Young’s 12-year-old son.

The Frederick County commissioner said Wednesday that he called the referee and apologized after they argued in early January.

Young coaches his son’s team in a local youth league. He was suspended for one game.

The Frederick News-Post first reported the incident Wednesday.

Young says he felt that the referee was endangering his players by failing to call fouls. He says he should have known better than to use obscenities.

Young is president of the Board of County Commissioners. He led fellow Republican David Craig of Harford County in campaign fundraising last year.

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