NRL 2024: Referee Kasey Badger retained for round 10 despite heavy criticism

Sydney Roosters utility Connor Watson says NRL players don’t treat female referees any differently to their male counterparts in the wake of the Kasey Badger controversy.

Kasey Badger has retained her position for round 10. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Sydney Roosters utility Connor Watson says NRL players don’t treat female referees any differently to their male counterparts in the wake of the Kasey Badger controversy.

It comes as Badger was retained retained for this weekend’s round of NRL games, when she will officiate Sunday’s match between the Roosters and New Zealand Warriors at Allianz Stadium.

Badger’s position was under heavy scrutiny after a highly controversial performance during last Saturday’s clash between Canterbury and the Wests Tigers.

On Tuesday, the NRL showed considerable faith in Badger, by retaining her for Round 10 despite some calls for her to be dropped.

Some pundits have suggested that Badger lost control of the game and that players had behaved in a disrespectful manner towards the referee because she was a female.

But Watson said that players did not take notice of who is officiating a match, let alone focus on their gender.

“Nah it doesn’t register to be honest (that a referee is female),” Watson said.

Kasey Badger has retained her position for round 10. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“For me, there’s different referees (out there) and I don’t really worry about it all too much. I’m not across what happened on the weekend so I can’t really comment on it.

Badger was forced to sin bin West Tigers forwards David Klemmer for dissent and Alex Seyfarth for headbutting Reed Mahoney in a scuffle that ensued in the final minutes of the clash.

The image of Klemmer towering over Badger as he remonstrated with the referee after he was sinbinned was a major talking point out of the game.

On Monday, NRL head of elite competitions Graham Annesley said it is not uncommon for players to try and exert influence on the referee regardless of gender.

“This is not a gender issue,” Annesley said.

“Even when referees do make mistakes, they don’t make mistakes because of their gender, they make mistakes because they’re human.

“Plenty of players have towered over male referees, and attempted to exert some influence. It doesn’t only happen to female referees. It’s not a gender issue.”

Badger was the subject of a social media pile-on after the match, with some of the criticism taking aim at her being a female.

The rookie referee also had three decisions overruled by the Bunker after successful captain’s challenges by the Tigers.

Badger, who has only officiated three NRL games, also failed to sinbin Aidan Sezer for a hip drop tackle on Bulldogs forward Josh Curran, that the Tigers halfback will now spend four weeks on the sidelines after he was charged by judiciary.

Belinda Sharpe has also been kept in first grade and will adjudicate the Dragons’ match against South Sydney on Saturday.

NRL RESPONDS TO REF RAGE

A concerned NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has conceded referees “make mistakes” but “deserve respect and support”.

Abdo’s comments come after a highly controversial performance from referee Kasey Badger in Saturday’s match between Canterbury and Wests Tigers.

Badger drew heavy criticism in a social media pile-on which has angered the NRL.

The NRL will decide on Tuesday where Badger will be rested or retained as a round 10 referee.

There were accusations that players from the game attempted to intimidate Badger.

In a statement to the media, Abdo addressed the weekly pressures of referees without actually naming Badger.

David Klemmer argues with referee Kasey Badger. Picture: NRL Imagery

“Occasionally, because they’re humans, they make mistakes. Referees deserve respect and support, from grassroots to elite, and they will always have that from me and the game,” Abdo said.

“Anyone making it to the best rugby league competition in the world is deserving, and has dedicated a large part of their life working hard to fulfil this ambition.

“They are highly capable, elite performers making complex decisions in real time under fatigue.

“We have seen several close and exciting games this round and this year, with record engagement from fans.

“The clubs and players have been playing some great football and the referees are contributing to the flowing, high-quality games.

“The referees are the most scrutinised individuals in the game.

“Their performance is analysed and assessed individually and collectively in a highly technical manner by the NRL.”

Badger had plenty to deal with during the match. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

The drama comes as Westlife podcast member Rob Bechara apologised for his disgraceful condemnation of Badger after his side’s loss to the Bulldogs.

On his social media platforms, Bechara labelled Badger a “dumb f …” and “b**tch” who should “get back to the kitchen”.

Bechara has since quit the podcast he completed three times a week with Aaron Thompson and Josh Barnett.

“My comments were so bad and heat-of-the-moment,” Bechara said. “What I said was totally wrong and poor. It was a sexist comment in a stupid moment. I was in a rage.

“I’m really upset about the people I have offended. I shouldn’t have vented on twitter and didn’t understand the ramifications it had on the people around me and it won’t happen again.

“I am a good person and also have a go at male referees. I piled on (referee) Grant Atkins a couple of weeks ago. No one complained back then about my tweets.

“I didn’t threaten anyone and didn’t say it on the Westlife podcast. I said it on my own Twitter page. I feel I have been singled out.

“I’m the guy who gives up their seat on a bus for a woman or opens the door of a car for my mum or wife. I need to be better and have learned my lesson.”

The Holman Barnes group has ended their sponsorship of the podcast due to Bechara’s comments.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Referee Kasey Badger retained for round 10 despite heavy criticism