As sports fans we have seen some some truly disgusting things, but very few come close to this.
Saturday night, Sydney’s Daily Telegraph reported that Police were called to a junior rugby match after the 34-year-old allegedly lashed out at 16-year-old referee in an under-12Cs match between the Engadine Dragons and Gymea Gorillas.
The 34-year-old is a trainer for the Gymea team and was this afternoon charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The alleged assault is reported to have been sparked when the 16-year-old ordered the trainer’s son be replaced after lashing out at an opposing player with his foot.
For those unaware, players can’t be sent off in junior rugby league matches. Instead, the referee can order they be subbed out and replaced by a bench player.
Apparently this decision was enough for a 34-year-old man to enter the field of play and physically assault not just an official, but a kid just four years older than his son.
The referee, who suffered from a brain tumour four years ago was taken to hospital after being wheeled away by paramedics on a stretcher.
In moving scenes, he was given a standing ovation by spectators as he was wheeled away.
That in itself is a nice gesture, a community standing with the ref following a moment of sheer lunacy.
But we can’t focus on that. Let’s focus on the fraction of a human being who allegedly committed this atrocious act.
Coming from a bloke who has been threatened as a junior ref myself, how many different types of disgusting do you have to be to think that assaulting a child is a natural response to your son being sent from the field?
You are an adult for Pete’s sake! Not only that, you’re a trainer for the team. Not only your son, but the team itself looks up to you and this is how you chose to react?
Your son got sent off. Guess what, it happens! Instead of using it as a learning experience for your child, an opportunity to say. ‘keep your cool or this will happen in the future,’ you decided to go out there and punch a kid less than half your age.
What did you think? That your son’s league future is now ruined because he was asked to leave the field? Don’t make me laugh!
It was a 12c’s game of league, not the NRL grand final – and even there this sort of thuggery would be totally unacceptable.
But the most upsetting part is that you put another father in a position you would shudder to think of.
He watched as a fully grown adult struck down his son for doing his job.
“I’ve been involved in Cronulla rugby league for 35 years and I’ve never seen anything like this,” the referee’s father said.
“The crowd just groaned and I ran out on to the field to be with my son.”
Imagine if that was your son or daughter, physically assaulted for doing their job. I do not have children but the thought of that happening to my brother fills me with rage, I can’t imagine the raw emotions that brings up for a parent.
This type of behaviour at children’s sporting events is absolutely unacceptable and frankly, I have absolutely zero sympathy.
I hope that New South Wales Rugby League and the judicial system throw the book at this guy.
He deserves to be banned for life and possibly have a criminal record. Not just as an example to the kids that this behaviour is not tolerated in sport, but as a warning to all the other hot-headed morons who infect children’s sport.
If you want to act like the hooligans of old, don’t expect to play any part in your kids sporting life.
Vivalasvegan
Guest
On a slide issue. Watched the Union internationals recently. I know, frustrating game. But, the respect for referees from all was really impressive. 1. Players should call refs 'sir' 2. Commentators should show leadership and shut up re on field decisions 3. Refs should stop coaching and calling players by first names...
MJ
Guest
Why can't a player be sent off at that age group?
Nicholas Belardo
Roar Guru
They should. But since this didn't happen in a soccer game, it won't.
Greg
Guest
further to above.. Apparently he wasn't wearing the GoPro at this game, but had trialled it earlier.
Greg
Guest
It doesn't matter why he did it - drugs, bad day etc - we as a society can not afford to have these events marked acceptable as "once off" events an individual does in a fit of rage. Every time I hear of life banning I think "too little". Of course, that's ALL that the league can do - let's leave it to the courts to see what they deem acceptable. On another note... 1) very pleased that he was apparently wearing a new GoPro camera intended to prevent attacks on referees. And... 2) anyone else find the league's call to all parents and players NOT to say anything to the press strange? I understand asking parents not to talk, and explaining why, I just don't understand demanding silence with threats.
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Agreed. Respect for refs starts at the top. Zero tolerance should be shown for insubordination towards refs.
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Mate, im not so pessimistic at all, I am sure he will get a few years. Its completely indefensible at a kids sporting event. He will cop it or Ill eat my boots.
MrJSquishy
Roar Pro
Absolutely disgraceful! A life ban is not enough. Very good points Mathew: what would the perpetrator have done if it had been someone else attacking his son? The mere thought of a supposed adult punching any 16 year old is nothing short of disgusting. I for one will be following this story, and if nothing else, this vile human being needs to be known to the public. He needs to be shamed. And, again as you say Mathew, what about his son? It must be terrible to be raised by a person who believes that this behaviour is acceptable under any circumstance...shame, shame, shame!
E-Meter
Guest
You would hope so. But magistrates condone this behaviour all the time.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
They should splash his mug shot all over the papers. Shame and Name them i think is a bigger deterant than the low level fine hel get becuase his lawyer will say what an upstanding citizen he is and how out of Character it was.
Nicholas Belardo
Roar Guru
#SuburbanTerrorists
Eddie
Guest
No room for this in our game. If this trainer doesn't get a life ban rugby league will look like a joke. I believe sports commentators, on radio, tv and the written media, contribute to the lack of respect for match officials. Their sarcastic comments and finger pointing at officials over dcissions filters down to the spectators and then carries on to local grass root games. Commentators for the AFL and Union move on when a decision is made and focus on the game. Commentators need to remember they are there to call the game not carry on about a decision they don't agree with.
dogforlife
Guest
I for one certainly hope so and that he can't sit down properly ever again after the first night to serve him a reminder of just who he is for the rest of his life.
Red Dog
Guest
But that's the problem Turbo , this guy will probably get nothing , and if the refs dad had retaliated he'd have probably got time inside . I'm so sick of our pissweak legal system that defends the perpetrators of crime and leaves victims in the lurch, wondering " what the hell happened there ". This was most apparent with the case , where the father found some lowlife in his child's bedroom and was sent to jail for defending his home and family ,,,, it's all gone so wrong ,,,, thanks do gooders you have a lot to answer for .
Cass
Guest
I know everyone thinks it has gone too far this year with some controversial suspensions but THIS is the real reason that zero tolerance has to be seen at NRL level when it comes to touching the referees. It has to start at the top and feed down to the lower levels of the game - the message has to be heard loud and clear - don't touch a referee. I think its great if signs are at Soccer Matches saying "This is not the EPL" but surely it would be better if EPL players were not allowed to engage in that kind of behaviour. This is what the NRL is trying to do and instead of being criticised by the media and fans they should be applauded. This is also the reason why the Fafita brothers deserved a much harsher sentence than they got at the end of last year. Their example was appalling and completely unacceptable. They deserved and should have got 12 months suspension to send a real message that this kind of abuse and intimadation is not acceptable by anyone.
turbodewd
Roar Guru
The bloke will serve time in the slammer, he could have killed the teenager.
Soda
Guest
This is a really sad story for rugby league, well weekend sports in general. However the nrl has a knack for getting a bad story and making worse. You can see an idiot parent at almost every oval across all junior sports on the weekend but this one is deplorable. I feel bad for the ref who didn't deserve getting clocked. I also feel bad for the son who got sent off and lives with such a hot head of a dad. I went and watched my younger sisters play soccer not too long ago and the club there had a sign that went something like "this is not the premier league, your kid is not playing in World Cup. Your kid is just a kid playing with friends. Please don't take this too seriously, it's just a game" these signs are probably at some of the league ovals as well but I have not seen them. I would really like the NRL to really get behind its junior refs and launch a campaign to spotlight what is and isn't appropriate behaviour on the sidelines rather than just burying the story and hoping SOO will distract from it.