Ashley Klein’ cops vile social media abuse after Storm vs. Roosters

Referee Ashley Klein has received heavyweight support after being on the receiving end of disgusting fan abuse following the Storm vs. Roosters semi-final.

What was Ashley Klein watching? Photo: Fox Sports

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys has offered his heavyweight support to NRL referee Ashley Klein, describing vile social media abuse directed at the whistleblower as “deplorable.’’

Klein has also received support from Melbourne Storm captain Christian Welch after the veteran referee was told by social media trolls that, shockingly, he needed to commit self-harm.

Klein has spent the past 24 hours on the receiving end of disgusting abuse following a number of officiating blunders in Melbourne‘s 18-13 semi final victory over the Roosters at AAMI Park on Friday night.

Ashley Klein has copped plenty of abuse for his performance on Friday night. Picture: NRL Images

The 377-game referee made the extremely rare decision to apologise to Roosters players for a game-altering blunder in the first half where a blatant knock-on by Storm hooker Harry Grant was missed by Klein.

Then in the closing stages of the match, with the Roosters leading 13-12, Klein failed to award Grant a penalty from a clear high tackle by opposition halfback Sam Walker.

So significant were the blunders that Klein is almost certain to be stood down by the NRL from next weekend’s preliminary finals.

Neither Roosters coach Trent Robinson or Storm coach Craig Bellamy, opted to heavily lambast Klein for his performance, admitting however, that the calls should’ve been made.

Ashley Klein copped plenty of heated abuse on social media.

“It was pretty clear it was dropped (by Grant). He (Klein) was right there, it hit the ground, what can you do?” Robinson asked.

“It was an error, and they went down the other end and scored.

“We should have also stopped that, but it would have been a try-scoring opportunity to us ten metres out from the line and in finals games they are always critical.

“We should have gone down and defended the play at the end of it. They shouldn’t have scored from a penalty ten metres off their own line and we should have been better.”

However, that didn’t stop social media trolls from targeting Klein with vile abuse and homophobic slurs.

Trent Robinson and James Tedesco talk to the media after their NRL semi-final loss. Credit: NRL Images.

The disgusting nature of the abuse prompted V’landys to offer Klein his powerful support.

“The social media abuse targeted at Ashley is deplorable and mean spirited,” V’landys said.

“We all make mistakes. We are human. Even the best make mistakes.

“However to incur this type of cruel and shameful abuse is more concerning about the author than it is Ashley.”

Grant – the man at the centre of the furore – said fans needed to look through a wider lens and that like players, referees also make mistakes.

“It is hard. We get a lot of calls wrong as players,” Grant said.

“You think about how many errors we make and the ref has a lot to cover.

“I think naturally you are going to get a couple (wrong) here and there. I am sure we had a couple (of decisions go our way) and they had a couple as well.”

Welch said he felt for Klein.

“Our referees have the toughest job in the world – the continuity, the speed, we have gone down from two (referees) to one. It is a tough gig for them,” Welch told Triple M.

“I do feel sorry for him because he is copping a lot of grief.

“I‘m never going to blame a ref. They have an incredibly tough job.

“I make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes.

“It is bloody tough on those guys. It is pretty nasty. This year has been the biggest thing for me – my individual performance probably hasn’t been where it was pre-Achilles tear.

“I have copped a fair bit and it has probably opened my eyes. I can really empathise.

“It’s tough. It is just frustrating.

“Klein is a fan, he loves the game like everyone else.

“These people sitting on their couches have never volunteered at a footy club, never refereed a game...thinking they can have a go at a bloke like that.

“It’s pretty frustrating.”