Veteran whistleblower Matt Cecchin will leave the NRL at season’s end over “vile” abuse and mounting pressure on referees.
Ahead of taking charge of his 300th NRL match as Penrith meet Canberra on Sunday, the 44-year-old told Fairfax he would quit the competition and retire unless an opportunity in Europe’s Super League arises.
He made the decision after not being picked to oversee Origin I this season following a difficult 12 months for the leading referee.
Cecchin revealed the scale of death threats he and his family received after a late-game call in last year’s World Cup semi-final between England and Tonga.
He correctly disallowed a try to Tongan front-rower Andrew Fifita as he was stripped of the ball near the tryline.
But later that night New Zealand police rushed Cecchin out of the country after informing him of “hundreds and hundreds” of abusive messages, some of them death threats.
Cecchin also flicked through his phone to discover more than a thousand “vile” attacks, the likes of which he’d never encountered across his entire career.
The whistleblower, who has talked openly about his mental health battles, said negative referee “noise” had taken its toll this year and he “needs a long break”.
“The reality is that after that game, and for the first chunk of this year with all the noise that’s been out there, it’s been tough. Really, really tough,” he said.
The Roar encourages all readers who may be suffering from mental illness to seek support from organisations such as Lifeline, Beyond Blue or Headspace.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
naah mate! the fact that I know a NZ family living next to me lose their minds over it probably made me believe they too were filthy with it how it went! Tonga was the last nation standing from the entire pacific so I'd imagine they were all behind them. you're a sook to think they just turned their tvs off, had a glass of water and went to bed..
Mushi
Guest
Yep the guys that hammer the refs every week, often about accountability, now want to distance themselves from the environment they obviously contributed to.
kimboinbrisbane
Roar Rookie
Agree. Except as there are only four games remaining for Canterbury, suspend him for all of the 2019 season as well. I also wonder, if he did comment as alleged, was he speaking under instructions? That we will never know, unless he drops someone in it.
Crash
Guest
Why would they be NZ kiwi board warriors? The game was in NZ but played between Samoa and Tonga. Thats the problem everyone just shoots from the hip without thinking...you're just as bad those you point the finger at mate...let me guess, you didn't read the article but just couldn't wait to write an opinion and to blame someone?
Big daddy
Guest
Look at last night's game. Canterbury trainer asking ref to referees fairly. Should be treated same as a player. No fine just suspend him till next year. Sends a message.
kramer
Guest
You can also add “journalists” from the roar to this list! I know one that takes his teams losses so personal that he always blames everyone except his team for them losing, then acts like a brat and rants and raves about all officials on this forum....Tim Gore! He and all of those above should be absolutely ashamed of themselves! Personal attacks on normal human beings whoever it is will take its personal toll! They make me sick! Because at the end of the day it’s just a fricken game!!!
Adam
Roar Guru
Oh without a doubt. But as fans we could probably all take a few breaths and think about what we say before complaining about the refs. At the end of the day they love the game probably more than what we do, look how committed they are to the game. Cecchin has been around the game for many many years and has given more to the game than just about anyone else. When he talks we should all probably listen to what he has to say
Craig
Guest
Banging on about decisions for days is part of the problem It keeps people fired up over human errors Don't kid yourself that what you are doing is ok. Mention an error and move on
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Does anyone think the crisis merchant media are partly responsible for constantly adding fuel to the fire when it comes to refereeing errors?
Rellum
Roar Guru
I doubt they would ever see themselves as responsible. I also am sure neither would have the courage to re an NRL game. The sad part is it now takes courage to ref and NRL game.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Agree rellum and the likes of gus, Joey and other commentators and journos will take no accountability for this....
ferret
Guest
Spot on RandyM. Saw a satirical piece suggesting that we replace the bunker with the commentary box. Those blokes are NEVER wrong. And they don't give up, like a dog with a bone. Gould will bang on and for 10 minutes about something he disagrees with. Some minor point. Now he's even bagging the refs when they award a team a penalty - "They didn't want a penalty then ..." There's no pleasing the bloke, just like there's no reining in his ego. Like to see Gus referee a match, even half a game, just once. And see how good he goes.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Like I’ve been saying a few times lately It’s just a game Remove the bunker and the endless replays Feel sorry for the guy , that despicable idiots are harassing him
Rellum
Roar Guru
It is endemic in the game now. The press and commentators have encouraged it for too long and many have have taken it to it's extremes.
Adam
Roar Guru
Just read that Ricky Stuart understands where he is coming from. Ummm Ricky, mate come on. I know Ricky isn't encouraging violence towards referees, but he is part of the systemic problem with how people view the refs.
BFord
Guest
This is my first and last comment on this site. I’ve only read the comments post games, because I don’t have time to watch them and highlights are too short. The comments give more perspective as to how the game went. A large portion of the comments follow a typical trend: referee mistakes, referee bias and how teams are “robbed” and had “50/50” calls go against them. Commentators both behind tv screens and computers are constantly complaining about “referee nitpicking” but are oblivious to their perpetual nitpicking of refereeing performances. I think Ceccin has had enough. I would quit my job too if I was constantly slandered. Refereeing is an extremely tough job: subjectivity, the speed of the game, endless critiques. These guys are professional, impartial and extremely good at their jobs. They do a far better job than any of the people that criticise them could ever do. It’s shame this guy is leaving because of fan, commentator, and journalist sentiment.
Albo
Guest
Its not just our game ! Its our society in general , fuelled by the anonymity of social media , nastiness of humanity spreads like a plague.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
Look at rugby union, it has the worst refereeing but everyone just accepts it. NRL commentators should leave the negative ref comments to their chat shows and not during live play.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Spot on Scott, very sad state of affairs when sport is lowered to this level. What a disgrace, it’s just a game for peats sake. Well done on your career Matt, now go and enjoy your life.
buttery
Roar Rookie
I've got a few Tongan friends who will be very upset reading this, their countrymen have let them down badly.