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I love sport. I’ll watch any sport. Camel racing, clog throwing. Probably even curling. Maybe synchronised-swimming.
It’s the thrill and drama of competition. There’s nothing better.
Nothing could ever turn me off sport.
But if, gun to my head, I had to pick one thing that would turn me off, I know exactly what it would be.
It would be the attitude of the general sporting world towards referees, as exemplified by Ricky Stuart’s post-match comments this week.
I used to be a referee. Soccer, admittedly, not rugby league, but I’ve been to enough park games of all descriptions to know there’s little difference from one to the next.
From park footy to the grandstands to the pro dressing rooms, barely a game goes by where certain members of the losing side won’t find a way to blame the referee for their loss.
Sometimes they’re quite vocal, as we saw in the case of Stuart.
Sometimes it’s nothing more than a filthy look, a refused handshake, a comment made loud enough for the ref to overhear from his fold-up chair at the halfway line. These days, possibly a tweet.
Losing teams can be quite convincing in their arguments, too. They certainly have the courage of their convictions behind them.
Just watch Stuart’s press conference to see how convincing they can be.
But the only story that should have come out of Sunday night’s game was the glorious comeback of the Titans.
Instead, we’re treated to a week of questions about the integrity of referees. Again.
I know that when I was reffing, I’d often have some sort of unexplained hatred for one team, doing everything in my power to ensure victory for the other. Apparently.
Which team did I want to lose? Sorry, not sure. I was usually only told after the final whistle.
It seems so obviously ridiculous to me. Scapegoats for sore losers.
But let’s say they’re right. Biased, incompetent, evil referees everywhere.
Doesn’t that completely defeat the purpose of sport?
If certain fans, players and coaches honestly feel the referee is that influential, then what is the point of competing?
And if all your losses come down to the performance of the ref, then where is the glory in your victories?
Fortunately, not all sportspeople have this attitude.
But a heck of a lot do, and I find it incredibly frustrating.
It’s lucky I love sport anyway.
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