NRL CEO Todd Greenberg responds to Phil Rothfield on outrageous refereeing errors

PHIL ROTHFIELD: On Saturday morning I sent a text message to NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg about one of the worst refereeing blunders I’ve ever seen. Here is his response...

Buzz Rothfield on the NRL's refereeing errors.

ON Saturday morning I sent a text message to NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg about one of the worst refereeing blunders I’ve ever seen.

Here it is: “Hi Todd, could I please get your thoughts on the golden point penalty at Campbelltown. I’ve never seen as much outrage on social media. Cheers Buzz.”

PRESSURE: Whistleblowers could pay the penalty

Referee Ashley Klein tries to explain his decision. (Mark Evans/Getty Images)

About an hour later he replied:

“Buzz — I’ve never seen a season where there aren’t refereeing controversies. We have such passionate fans & some incredibly close games so it’s always going to be part of the game. A good part of the game. We never want to lose the debate & opinions from fans.

But we need to keep supporting our referees who do a tough job. They will make mistakes like everyone else. But overall they do a good job & I’m determined for the game to support them. Cheers Todd.”

The Tigers were fuming after the call. (Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Fair enough. We can’t just sit here and accept it as part of the game. It’s turning people away. So I sent this one back:

“Thx but I think you are underestimating the significance of [Friday] night’s mistake. The fans have had enough. Blunders as bad a Friday night are ruining the game.”

To his credit, Greenberg replies again:

“I’ll never underestimate the significance of these issues. Our fans are everything to us & we will continue to do everything we can to improve the game across all areas including the refs.”

My final text message was about accountability.

“You’ve gone and put Ashley Klein in the bunker for the rest of the weekend. No accountability. Let him do another couple of games.”

Friday night’s match was such a colossal sporting contest.

I tweeted about it:

This isn’t a game it’s a war #NRLTigersBroncos

— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) March 23, 2018

The second-half was blood, thunder, furious aggression and extraordinary courage.

The Wests Tigers, on paper, had no right to be in the contest.

But they were. Until Ashley Klein inexplicably ruined it.

Not just for Wests Tigers fans but supporters of fair play across the game.