NRL 2024: Police charge man over referee text threat | What’s The Buzz

Leading NRL referee Adam Gee was on his way to Accor Stadium to officiate a game between Brisbane and South Sydney when he received a threatening message on his personal mobile.

Police have charged a man for allegedly sending a threatening game-day text message to leading NRL referee Adam Gee.

The grand final ref was preparing to drive to Accor Stadium last Friday to control the Broncos v Rabbitohs match when he received the alarming message.

The NRL is hugely concerned that a member of the public has a referee’s private number.

The man was charged with “using a carriage service to menace/harass/offend and intimidation”.

Gee reported the incident to stadium security staff and the NRL integrity unit, who then notified the police.

Police have charged a man for allegedly sending a threatening game-day text message to leading NRL referee Adam Gee. Picture: Getty Images

In a statement, a spokesman for NSW Police said: “About 2pm on Friday, June, 14, 2024, detectives from Sutherland Police Area Command received a report of intimidating text messages sent to an NRL official.

“Following an investigation, and with the assistance of the NRL’s integrity unit, about 8.45pm police attended a house on Brunker Rd, Yagoona, and arrested a 19-year-old man.

“He was taken to Bankstown Police Station where he was charged with using a carriage service to menace/harass/offend and intimidation.

“The man was also served with a personal violence order.

“The man was granted strict conditional bail to attend Sutherland Local Court on Monday, June 17, 2024.”

Gee was preparing to drive to Accor Stadium last Friday to control the Broncos v Rabbitohs match when he received the alarming message. Picture: Getty Images

An NRL spokesman said: “The NRL will always do everything in its power to protect the integrity of the game and the people involved in it.”

It is a concern that referees have never been under as much scrutiny as in the modern game.

From all angles over 80 minutes, the TV cameras now expose even the most minor mistakes.

NRL sources say Gee was not shaken by the message.

He was given the option to stand down, but chose to referee the game.

It was an uneventful match, with the Rabbitohs beating the Broncos 22-12.