Former OzTag referee Jason Fernie who was punched in game told he can no longer officiate matches
An OzTag referee who was brutally assaulted during a game in 2022 after a penalty call has been told that he can no longer officiate matches, despite being able to return to the field as a player.
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An OzTag referee who was brutally assaulted during a game in 2022 has been told that he can no longer officiate, despite being able to return to the field as a player with a club.
Jason Fernie was refereeing a game of OzTag at the Brothers St Brendan’s rugby league club grounds in Rocklea, when he was punched in the jaw by Benson Leipau Pauga on July 4, 2022.
It is understood Pauga approached Mr Fernie after he called a penalty during the game.
After a brief verbal exchange, Pauga punched him in the jaw.
“In the second half, a player came from behind and hit me, I was knocked out, had a seizure, brain bleed, and was taken to hospital,” Mr Fernie told The Courier-Mail.
The one-punch attack left Mr Fernie with a brain bleed and he suffered side effects for some time after, with doctors telling him at the time he was lucky to be alive.
Pauga pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm and was ordered to pay $5000 in compensation.
He also apologised to Mr Fernie in court, with the pair shaking hands afterwards.
While he was unable to work and referee for a period of time following the attack, Mr Fernie returned to officiate matches for a brief period, before being told at the start of a new season that he could no longer officiate a game of OzTag.
“I went back to ref for a little bit, and then I came back one season, and was told I was no longer allowed to ref,” he said.
“No one gave an explanation, the venue manager at Moorooka said that I was unable to ref anymore, but there was no explanation from anyone from Queensland OzTag.
“No one has ever given me a proper explanation as to why I can’t referee.”
Mr Fernie, who has returned to work and currently plays OzTag for Moorooka, said he would love to referee again if given the chance.
“I was a referee for 20 odd years, it’s in my blood,” he said.
“I still play as well, not that I’m very good, but yeah, I still play.
“At one stage, I didn’t want to go back after what happened, but then I just missed it too much.
“Physically and everything else, I’m all good to go.”
Mr Fernie’s sidelining comes after calls have been made for Australian rules football umpires to wear bodycams in a bid to curb abuse from players and spectators – an initiative he was willing to back.
“It is totally needed and required to protect the ref,” 4BC Breakfast with Peter Fegan.
“If there’s no ref, there’s no game.”
Queensland OzTag has been contacted for comment.
The venue co-ordinator at Moorooka OzTag has also been contacted for comment.
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