Kyle Wilkie, who runs the W Academy, said behaviour around youth football was getting worse.
He told BBC Radio Scotland’s Drivetime: “If you go around the venues you see a lot of aggression and win-at-all-costs on the sidelines.”
Wilkie said better governance and more funding was required to address the problem.
For example, he told the programme that when he raised concerns about facing another team due to their previous conduct, his side were fined by officials for refusing to play.
Wilkie also issued a warning about the conduct of adult spectators.
He said: “A lot of times if you were to walk from the car park to the pitches, say at Toryglen or Glasgow Green, you would see behaviour that is unacceptable around children.”
The former professional said those who engage in violence around young footballers were “literally ruining childhoods”.
And he cautioned against taking the game too seriously.
“We are turning these kids into mini professionals instead of just letting them play and enjoy themselves,” he said. “That is what the sport is all about.”
The Scottish Youth Football Association has been approached for comment.
