A few years ago, I attended a soccer match in Buenos Aires between Argentina heavyweights River Plate and the Colombian team Santa Fe at the famous El Monumental stadium.
Before I was allowed in, police padded me down to see if I was carrying projectiles. Inside the ground, a large moat circled the perimeter of the playing surface.
The reason? To protect the referee.
“We hate the referee because he chooses to be a referee,” one fan told me before detailing how he once watched an elderly man throw his false teeth at a match official in frustration.
Rugby league is far removed from that sort of referee-bashing, but our game — officials, coaches, players, media, and fans — need to be vigilant.
It was reported last week that NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo had reminded coaches about not being excessively critical of match officials in post-match media conferences.
Some interpreted it as an attack on free speech. Rather, it was about stopping attacks on referees.
Coaches are allowed to criticise decisions, but it can’t be open season on the men and women who really do have the hardest job in the game. Abdo issued the directive after witnessing parents abusing the referee at a junior rugby league match.
Many of us have witnessed this sort of terrible behaviour ourselves. Not cool.
Match officials aren’t above criticism, but they do not deserve the vitriol regularly directed their way.
Two of the most confronting stories I’ve written concerned retired refs Matt Cecchin and Ben Cummins.
Cecchin detailed how the Australian Federal Police alerted him to a wave of death threats and abuse from fans after his controversial but also correct decision to disallow a Tonga try in the 2017 World Cup semi-final against England.
In a separate interview, an emotional Cummins talked about how he had to flee the country after the six-to-go controversy involving Jack Wighton in the 2019 NRL grand final.
The game needs to protect its match officials — and it starts with how we talk about them and their performances.
And another thing …
Like most fans, I am counting down the minutes until I can ease
back into the armchair to watch
the grand final re-match between Melbourne and Penrith at AAMI Park on Thursday night.
The Storm are coming off a bye while the Panthers are regrouping after a shock loss to the Roosters.
What I love about this modern- day rivalry is the respect that flows between the teams.
After losing to the Storm in the 2020 grand final, Penrith developed a harder edge and the result has been there for all to see: back-to-back-to- back-to-back premierships. They’re the most successful team since the all-conquering St George sides of the 1950s and 1960s.
The Panthers have beaten Melbourne in preliminary finals and a grand final during their premiership ride. I can’t see the Storm allowing to happen for much longer.
Coach Ivan Cleary has repeatedly said he’s inspired by the Storm and their coach, Craig Bellamy.
The Storm will tell you similar things about the Panthers.
I’m sure things won’t be so pleasant on Thursday night as they try to make an early season statement.
