‘Absolute disgrace of a human being’ – Police involved after referee attacked in New Zealand match
The Police are investigating an incident from a grassroots game in New Zealand
A horrific video of a referee being attacked during a grassroots game in Auckland has emerged on social media.
The incident, which took place in a match between United Brothers and Laul’i Lions, followed the awarding of a late penalty try to decide the match.
After the penalty try is given, a player from the Lauli’i Lions runs over to the referee and pushes him onto the floor, setting off a commotion in the process.
Commenting on the incident, Auckland Rugby Chief Executive, Jarrod Bear, said it has been taken to the Police for further investigation.
“Auckland Rugby received notification of an alleged referee abuse incident on Saturday 28 September and the incident has since been elevated to the Police,” Bear said in a statement.
“Our immediate concern is for the referee who we, alongside the Auckland Rugby Referees Association, are supporting. Referees are incredibly valued members of Auckland Rugby and there is no place for referee abuse.
“We won’t be interviewing on this whilst it is under judicial review.”
‘Ban the c*** for life’: Social media outcry following violent referee assault
The video, posted on Reddit, has attracted uproar across social media, with people all voicing their outrage at the incident.
Several comments called for the player who attacked the referee to be banned for life, with one user posting: “Ban for life surely.” Another comment read: “He ran in with full intent to deck the ref. Not playing another game in NZ again for sure. What an idiot!”
Some took it further too, with a fellow Reddit user saying: “Ban the c*** for life, there should be absolutely zero tolerance for assaulting officials, end of story.”
Elsewhere, another user added: “If you watch the full video too the penalty try is 100% justified, blatant collapse of the maul right on the line. But obviously regardless of whether call was right or wrong what happened is unacceptable should be life ban.”
The incident had clearly angered some people online, with one user calling the player involved an “Absolute disgrace of a human being”.
With the game taking place in a Samoan village match, one user shed some light on their own experiences playing in these games: “These are the Samoan village games so not affiliated clubs, I played in it years ago and it was always a bit of a free for all around foul play but never saw a ref get assaulted.”