Robbie Slater: Valere Germain’s mid-season Bulls departure isn’t because of the referees

Socceroos great Robbie Slater has questioned Macarthur Bulls' captain’s shock mid-season exit and claims he quit because of the refereeing standards.

Socceroos great Robbie Slater has questioned the shock exit of Macarthur Bulls’ captain Valere Germain mid-season, saying he had never heard of a player ending a contract due to referee standards.

Germain sensationally left the western Sydney based A-League outfit to take up an offer with a Japanese club, with Macarthur’s chairman reportedly saying the standard of refereeing in the competition played a part in the skipper’s decision.

Club CEO Sam Krslovic said Germain had parted with the club to pursue an opportunity overseas.

But chairman Gino Marra, who is also on the Australian Professional Leagues board, said in an interview with AAP that Germain, 34, departed the club as he was “frustrated by the refereeing in this country”.

Valere Germain has left the Bulls, blaiming referee standards. Picture: Getty Images

Slater was stunned by the situation and said he doubted it had anything to do with the referees.

“Germain might not think they are the best in the world, but that is not the reason he is leaving,” Slater said.

“He is leaving because he got a better offer from an overseas club – it is quite simple.

“No one has ever been known to rip up a contract because they don’t like the referees in the country they are playing in.

“He is leaving because he has a better offer from a J-League club, which is no surprise given his quality.”

Valere Germain of the Bulls warms up prior to the round 18 A-League Men match between Macarthur FC and Western United at Campbelltown Stadium, on February 09, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Getty Images

Germain is Macarthur’s all-time leading goalscorer – scoring seven this season and a total of 27 goals in his more than 50 games for the club.

He was due to face a FA hearing this week after allegedly using offensive, insulting or abusive language and or gestures towards an official at the end of the match against Western United on February 9.

Germain had referred the matter to the independent disciplinary and ethics committee before withdrawing the referral due to no longer being a contracted player in the league.

Slater said the referees were always the first to be blamed.

“I don’t think the standard of refereeing is any worse than it has been,” Slater said.

“In every country there are issues – how can that be a penalty this week but wasn’t three weeks ago, why did VAR get it wrong – it’s the nature of the game.

“Strikers miss goals, goalkeepers make errors and referees make mistakes.

“No one has ever left because of them.”

Valere Germain captained Macarthur FC until his sudden departure. Picture: Getty Images

Code Sports asked Football Australia, who manage the referees for the A-Leagues, if it had received any complaints from clubs or players about the standard of officiating this season.

It didn’t respond to that question but did provide a statement on the situation.

“Refereeing is an essential part of the game, and Football Australia remains committed to upholding the highest standards of officiating in the A-Leagues,” the spokesman said.

“We have continued to invest in referee development, training, and technology to ensure officiating remains at a high standard and continues to evolve with the game.

“As for Valere Germain, we understand his departure from Macarthur FC was based on a range of factors, and ultimately, player movement decisions sit with the club and player involved.

“We will continue working closely with the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and stakeholders to ensure officiating standards remain a priority across all levels of the game.”

Originally published as Robbie Slater: Valere Germain’s mid-season Bulls departure isn’t because of the referees