Seven Dutch teenagers and a father went on trial on Wednesday charged with kicking to death an amateur football linesman last year, a killing that sent shockwaves through the Netherlands.

Linesman Richard Nieuwenhuizen, 41, was allegedly kicked several times in the head by enraged youth players shortly after the final whistle at an amateur game of under-17 players in December.

Grieving: The widow and son of linesman Richard van Nieuwenhuizen arrive at court. Credit:Robin Van Lonkhuijsen

The linesman died shortly afterwards in hospital, leading to much soul-searching in the football-mad Netherlands, while the teenaged boys and one of their fathers were charged with manslaughter.

Most of the accused teens' parents were in court, with journalists only allowed to follow proceedings from a video screen next door because of the age of most of the defendants.