RUGBY LEAGUE
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GROUP 10 Rugby League could be without referees this weekend as the region’s whistleblowers consider setting down their whistles in protest, following an incident after last Sunday’s Cowra Magpies-Bathurst Panthers premier league fixture.
Following Panthers’ come-from-behind win, referee Jason Whitney was allegedly approached by a member of Group 10’s executive committee and lambasted over several decisions he’d made during the game, which the chastiser believed to be incorrect.
A source informed the Central Western Daily on Tuesday morning that while standing down this weekend had not yet been discussed, the Group 10 Referees Association would consider all of its options.
Referees are no strangers to copping abuse, but the source explained the alleged incident, in the circumstances, was the straw that’s broke the camel’s back.
“A Group 10 executive member 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 a Group 10 executive member 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 a Group 10 executive member 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, 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.
matthew.findlay@fairfaxmedia.com.au