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League’s match review committee let the game’s officials down badly last night, with the decision to clear Canterbury enforcer David Klemmer from his charge of making illegal contact with a referee.
Letting players who have laid a hand on a referee off scot-free beggars belief, and the message such inaction sends to the rugby league community is clear: touching the ref is okay in certain circumstances.
Certainly, if you have a shrewd legal representative.
More:
» Not guilty! Klemmer gets off charge at the judiciary
» Can’t touch this: Former ref says Klemmer should be in the doghouse
I could not believe Klemmer escaped without any form of penalty. Not a slap on the wrist – not even a push on the chest.
He touched the ref when he had no right to do so, and that’s one of the biggest no-nos in any sport. It’s a blatant lack of respect, whether he did it in ‘the right spirit and without malice’ or otherwise.
Ben Cummins was the referee in question and he claimed he was unaware the player had made contact with his body until he learned of the contrary conduct charge laid against Klemmer by the match review committee.
No sense, no feeling Mr Cummins? That’s incredibly hard to believe.
With the trends in refereeing going the way they are, it is understandable if this referee is trying to stay ‘matey’ with the players and refuses to dob anyone in.
But should he?
In all, five players we know of ‘handled’ referees in some shape or form in Round 2 of the NRL premiership.
Brisbane newcomer James Roberts was hit with a grade one contrary conduct charge. He pleaded guilty and escaped suspension.
Footage also shows that Penrith’s Jamie Soward and Trent Merrin, and the Tigers’ Mitchell Moses also made contact with whistle-blowers, but were not charged.
The whole scenario gives another black eye to the game.
The chance was there to enforce and underline one of the most important rules in rugby league – referees must literally be untouchable.
No message – apart from one of confusion – was sent out by the judiciary at a time when there were numerous offences committed by players who know the ropes. This is not their first game of football, and not the first time they’ve had a referee.
Young players watch their rugby league heroes like hawks. Would anyone be surprised if, in the weeks ahead, referees at junior levels are touched by young players?
If all five of the above-mentioned players were given, say, a one-game penalty for touching referees, do you think there would be any repetition in this coming round?
The answer is obvious, and the NRL must draw a line about touching refs.
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