AFL umpire ‘Razor’ Ray Chamberlain in hot water over ‘retarded’ comment in Hawks-Crows clash

THEATRICAL AFL umpire “Razor” Ray Chamberlain has come under scrutiny over a terrible call and an insensitive remark in last night’s Adelaide-Hawthorn clash.

NAB Challenge 2014: Western Bulldogs v Fremantle Etihad Stadium .Pic Wayne Ludbey,Ray 'Razor' Chamberlain

THEATRICAL AFL umpire “Razor” Ray Chamberlain has come under scrutiny over a shocking call and an insensitive remark in “Sirengate II” during Friday night’s Adelaide-Hawthorn clash at the Adelaide Oval.

The incident came in the third quarter when Chamberlain blew the whistle 14 seconds early to end the term, just as Hawthorn forward Luke Breust was running towards goal on the boundary line.

Chamberlain fellow umpire told him he didn’t think the siren had gone, to which he replied: “Holy geez.”

Hawks captain Sam Mitchell then questioned the call and Chamberlain responded: “I get this retarded chime that comes through here, it’s meant to go through simultaneous with the siren. That’s why I blew it.”

Mitchell asked why his side had to pay the price and Chamberlain said: “They’re the rules, mate. I don’t write them I just read them.”

AFL umpire “Razor” Ray Chamberlain.

Both coaches were baffled by Chamberlain’s call, just as Breust was shaping for a shot at goal.

“I think Breusty thought he may have to dodge Ray Chamberlain as well,” Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

“They will work that out, the AFL.

“It’s a shame because this is a great venue and we have had two situations this year, there has been a bit of controversy over the siren.”

In a round nine match, Collingwood believed an Adelaide goal was kicked after a siren barely heard above crowd noise level.

Razor Ray showing us exactly where he pulls most his decisions from #AFLCrowsHawks pic.twitter.com/U1GrHgK16N

— Mitch (@M_1tch) July 11, 2014

Clarkson said the Friday night mix-up had little impact in Hawthorn’s 15.14 (104) to 14.8 (92) win: two seconds after play resumed, the siren actually sounded.

“Breusty still had to get past one or two opponents to get through, and could have nearly been done for holding the ball anyway,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter too much.”

His Crows counterpart Brenton Sanderson was puzzled.

“I didn’t quite understand what was happening there,” he said.

– with AAP