‘NRL referees are not cheats’: Major sponsor apologises for controversial tweet

The NRL has reached a resolution with the CEO of the Warriors’ major sponsor following some controversial tweets last month.

The chief executive of the Warriors’ major sponsor has apologised for a series of tweets that questioned the integrity of NRL referees. Picture; Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The chief executive of the Warriors’ major sponsor has issued a public apology to the NRL’s referees after he launched a scathing attack of them on Twitter following the club’s loss to Penrith at Magic Round.

Jason Paris, the chief executive of One NZ, accused the officials of being biased and asked “have they got money on them to lose” on the back of several decisions that he thought went against the Warriors, including two sin bins and a late head injury assessment.

NRL head of football Graham Annesley hit back at those claims last month, and the NRL released a statement on Friday afternoon declaring the matter closed after Mr Paris apologised on social media.

“I unreservedly apologise for the comments I made about NRL match officials,” Paris posted.

“I am a passionate rugby league fan and have been for decades. I made those comments in the heat of the moment and am sorry for any impact they may have had on the reputation of any NRL referee.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was sent for a head injury assessment at Magic Round which the NRL said was the right call. Picture; Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“NRL referees are not cheats and are not biased. They go to work every week and do a tough job so that we get to enjoy the greatest game. Impugning their professionalism was a mistake.

“People can watch a game of footy and legitimately question the decision-making, but questioning the integrity of officials is unacceptable.

“Like many Warriors supporters I back my team 100 percent and will continue to do so. I hope we can move past this distraction and focus on enjoying the game we all love.”

The NRL warned other sponsors that criticism of match officials would not be tolerated, declaring it of “critical importance” to respect and protect referees.

I unreservedly apologise for the comments I made about NRL match officials.

I am a passionate rugby league fan and have been for decades. I made those comments in the heat of the moment and am sorry for any impact they may have had on the reputation of any NRL referee.

NRL…

— Jason Paris (@JasonCParis) June 2, 2023

“The NRL has raised its concerns with these comments with Mr Paris, and as a result he has agreed to unconditionally withdraw those statements and issue a public apology,“ an NRL statement read.

“The NRL understands that Mr Paris has also reached agreement with the NRL referees and match officials concerned, and the match officials’ association, the PRLMO.

“Respecting and protecting NRL referees and match officials is a matter of critical importance to the NRL.

“While there may be differences of view about particular decisions made during a game, comments that call into question the integrity or honesty of NRL referees and match officials are baseless and unacceptable.

“The NRL considers this matter closed, but all those associated with the game should know that any comments that call into question the integrity of NRL referees and match officials will not be tolerated in our game.”