Referee Ben O’Keeffe speaks out on ‘sad reality’ of social media abuse after Super Rugby Pacific final

David Skippers

26 Jun 2023 8:51 AM

Referee Ben O’Keeffe has revealed the extent of the abuse he received after officiating in Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific final between the Chiefs and Crusaders in Hamilton.

The 34-year-old and his assistants, Angus Gardner, Nic Berry and TMO Brendon Pickerill, were in the thick of the action as the Chiefs received three yellow cards and conceded nine penalties to the Crusaders’ two during the encounter which the Christchurch-based side won 25-20.

Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane’s yellow card in the 72nd minute proved to be the most significant of the three as the Chiefs were holding a narrow 20-15 lead at the time.

Crucial try from Codie Taylor

The Crusaders put the resulting penalty into touch and took the lead – and ultimately won the match – when Codie Taylor crossed for a converted try from a lineout drive deep inside Chiefs territory.

After the game, O’Keeffe, who has officiated in 31 Tests, and his colleagues were heavily booed as they went to the stage to receive their medals during the post-match presentation ceremony.

On Monday, O’Keeffe used social media to express his disappointment over the “sad reality” faced by officials of all sports.

“Abuse in any form is never okay,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

“Unfortunately, as a union referee at the highest level, I have had to accept and grow accustomed to the post-match vitriol that fans normalise post game.

“It’s a sad reality that it doesn’t affect me anymore, but that doesn’t mean it’s ok.”

He used the example of English football referee Anthony Taylor to illustrate how dangerous the situation has become for match officials. Taylor was attacked by a mob of angry Roma supporters at an airport in Budapest after their Europa League final defeat to Sevilla earlier this month.

“I think back to the Europa League final referee walking through the airport and his family getting chairs thrown at them,” added O’Keeffe.

“I hope my family is never subjected to this but the direction some fans are going now in rugby, I know we are closer than we have ever been.

“This is one of many recent examples when someone has crossed the line towards a match official in rugby.”

O’Keeffe’s social media post included a montage of some of the horrific abuse he received on Instagram from enraged Chiefs supporters, which includes death threats.

After the Super Rugby Pacific final, Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan identified what looked like a clear forward pass in the build-up to the Crusaders’ second try – scored by Richie Mo’unga – as a “momentum swinger” which proved costly to his team.

‘Referees need support’

“Referees are part of the game, and we need support from players and coaches to have the tough conversations privately but to publicly back and support their officials – not criticise,” added O’Keeffe.

“This will change the way the fans treat us.

“Abuse is out there and for anyone going through it right now in any form please understand there is support there, people do love you, there is help available and if all else fails, send me a message and I would be happy to talk with you.”

O’Keeffe is one of New Zealand’s top referees and will join countryman Paul Williams as part of the 12-man panel to officiate matches at the upcoming World Cup in France.

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