RUGBY LEAGUE
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Group 10 Rugby League could be without any of its referees this weekend as the region’s whistle blowers consider setting down their whistles in protest, following an incident after last Sunday’s Cowra Magpies-Bathurst Panthers premier league fixture.
Allegedly, following Panthers’ come-from-behind win, referee Jason Whitney was approached by an official and lambasted over several decisions he’d made during the game, which the chastiser believed to be incorrect.
An unnamed source said yesterday morning, that while standing down this weekend has not yet been discussed, the Group 10 referees association will consider all their available options.
Referees are no strangers to copping abuse, but the source explained the alleged incident, in the circumstances, is the straw that’s broken the camel’s back.
“[An official] approached Jason Whitney after the game between Cowra and Panthers on the weekend and basically abused him for allegedly getting three decisions wrong in the game,” the source said.
“The referees are looking at all possibilities, but not being available for appointments this weekend may be discussed with members, should appropriate action not be taken.
“Refs don’t want to disadvantage clubs at all ... referees expect to cop abuse, but this is getting out of hand and when it’s coming from [an official] it doesn’t instil a lot of confidence that things are being dealt with properly ... it sets a pretty poor example.
“It has struck a chord with the referees because, firstly, the abuse came from [an official] and, secondly, they have lost, in the short-term at least, their referees association president and number one ref in Jason.
“The abuse was bad enough for Jason to make himself unavailable for appointments until further notice.”
It wasn’t the only instance of referee abuse in Sunday’s round seven fixtures either, with Nick Lander forced to send an Orange Hawks trainer from the field after he allegedly offered the official some expletive-laden feedback.
“Refs are sick of the abuse,” the source said.
Group 10 referees association secretary Dale Harding confirmed there was “an incident” last weekend involving a referee, but declined to comment any further.
“There has been an incident, but I can’t comment on it because it is now in the hands of the CRL and CRL Referees Association,” he said.
Group 10 president Linore Zamparini said he was also aware of an alleged incident, but declined to comment until he had spoken to all parties involved.
Sunday’s alleged affair is the latest in a string of incidents revolving around the treatment of referees, including 2011’s ugly episode at Endeavour Oval which ended in referee Nathan Blanchard being assaulted by a member of the crowd.