James Horwill charged with SANZAR code of conduct breach for “stupid refereeing decision” comment
QUEENSLAND Reds skipper James Horwill has been charged with a code of conduct breach by SANZAR for his “stupid refereeing decision” comment.
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QUEENSLAND Reds skipper James Horwill has been charged with a code of conduct breach by SANZAR for his “stupid refereeing decision” comment.
SANZAR today referred Horwill to a hearing by teleconference on Tuesday when judicial officer Nigel Hampton QC will investigate the allegation.
In bringing this complaint, SANZAR will allege that the comment made by Horwill amounted to misconduct by breaching the section that deals with: “All persons shall not publish or cause to be published criticism of the manner in which a Match Official handled a match.”
An emotional Horwill was interviewed on Fox Sports moments after the Reds lost 27-24 to the Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium last Saturday night.
The comment in question attributed to Horwill is: “In the end, once again we were robbed by a stupid refereeing decision.”
Horwill’s reaction followed the reversal of a penalty, first given to Queensland to go on the attack at 24-all and then rescinded after a Reds lineout had already started.
The Television Match Official intervened to have Reds lock Ed O’Donoghue red-carded for an alleged eye gouge in the final two minutes.
Horwill’s case takes a different twist because the O’Donoghue case was thrown out on Monday which gives some validation to the Reds captain’s exasperation that the wrong decision was reached.
Horwill’s post-match media conference was more expansive on the trigger for his anger being the controversial TMO system slowing down the game and the fact he did not believe it was gouging.
Originally published as James Horwill charged with SANZAR code of conduct breach for “stupid refereeing decision” comment
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