Mack Hansen’s outburst the ‘tipping point’ as officials bemoan lack of ‘support and respect’ with Irish referee pushed to shock retirement call
Irish referee Chris Busby is set to announce his shock retirement from officiating, according to reports.
The news comes off the back of Connacht and Ireland winger Mack Hansen’s three-week suspension after his X-rated rant about the officiating after his side’s United Rugby Championship (URC) defeat to Leinster.
Hansen has issued an apology, which was part of his punishment, to Busby and his officiating team but it seems like his actions were the final nail in the coffin for Busby.
Chris Busby to step away from rugby
According to a report by The42, Busby is set to confirm his decision in due course with the Hansen incident being the ‘tipping point’, with personal reasons also coming to the fore.
It is also believed that he and many top-flight referees feel as though they are “not shown enough support and respect”.
“There is a sense within the refereeing community that there is a growing lack of respect for match officials from coaches, players, and supporters,” the report from Murray Kinsella added.
“Busby’s decision is also thought to have been influenced by the levels of toxic online abuse that referees and their families have to deal with these days.”
The Irish official was set to feature in the Six Nations as an assistant referee but the likeliness of him doing so is looking increasingly unlikely.
Hansen’s suspension
As part of his three-match suspension, Hansen will also undertake an appropriate course related to match officiating which will be decided by URC Head of Match Officials Tappe Henning and IRFU Head of Referees Dudley Phillips.
Connacht must also run an education session with their players about how to conduct themselves in post-match media sessions and interactions with the media.
“People know I always wear my heart on my sleeve. However after the Leinster game, on this occasion, I let my emotions get the better of me,” Hansen wrote in his apology to the officials.
“Upon reflection, my comments to the media were ill-advised, and fell far short of the standards I expect of myself, and what the sport expects of its players.
“I want to offer an apology to the match officials for any distress my comments may have caused. Our games are built on mutual respect and I didn’t show that after the game.
“I also want to apologise to the URC, and I fully accept the findings of the independent disciplinary panel.
“I love Connacht, and I love rugby. Moving forward, I will channel all my energy and passion into representing my province and country to the absolute best of my ability – both on and off the field.”
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