NRL issues forceful edict to all clubs over behaviour towards match officials
The NRL is losing patience with clubs over the treatment of match officials, issuing a forceful email to all teams to warn them of the consequences for poor referee treatment.
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Pull your heads in or face the consequences.
A fed-up NRL has sent a forceful edict to all clubs demanding players stop “argumentative, intimidatory, and disrespectful” behaviour towards match officials.
NRL general manager – elite officiating, Jared Maxwell, directed the email to all 17 coaches on Wednesday morning declaring a “a significant increase in the number of players disputing decisions of referees and attempting to initiate debates that will obviously not change decisions that have already been made.
“All players, debating, arguing, and harassing the referee will not be tolerated.”
Maxwell stressed any offending players will be penalised, marched ten minutes of sin-binned.
It is a clear message that the NRL is becoming irritated with players constantly remonstrating with referees.
Maxwell wrote: “In many cases these actions by players are tactical and designed to intimidate or simply delay the recommencement of play.
“Additionally, the tone and manner in which some players have approached match officials has at times been argumentative, intimidatory, and disrespectful.”
Maxwell also included rule extracts around player behaviour – under the chapter headlined called Captains Communication – in his email.
He then wrote: “I respect that captains have the right to clarify the reason for decisions, however, my message to the referees heading into round 10 will be to only allow captain communication at an appropriate stoppage and in an appropriate manner.
“Should a captain or any other player continue to be argumentative after the referee has provided the reason for a decision, it should not come as a surprise if the offender is either penalised, marched 10 metres, or sent to the sin bin.
“Please be assured we have no desire to implement such action, but it is solely in the hands of clubs and players to ensure referees are given no reason to do so.
“While it is important that referees develop a rapport and respectful relationship with captains and all players, debating, arguing, and harassing the referee will not be tolerated.
“It would be appreciated if you could ensure this information, and the associated risk of offending, is conveyed to all players heading into round 10.”
Canberra chief executive Don Furner immediately supported the edict being sent to clubs.
“I totally agree and it should be complied with because downside to a lot of that behaviour is that it filters down to the juniors,” Furner said.
“Kids then see it on television and they are constantly arguing with referees. It’s a downward spiral and it’s got to stop.
“I find it particularly ridiculous when players are debating and arguing a decision on-field which was made in a bunker studio located in Redfern.”
NRL head of football elite competitions Graham Annesley added: “Players already know they can’t overstep the mark in how they interact with match officials.
“Mutual respect between officials and players on the field is vital, and this is a simple reminder of existing obligations and the possible consequences”.
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