General Rugby League Media

[old_man_tiger]

• Breaking

Referees’ union weighs up legal action against Warriors’ sponsor​

ByAdam Pengilly​

May 8, 2023 — 2.57pm

The NRL’s referees’ union is considering taking legal action against the chief executive of the New Zealand Warriors’ major sponsor who sent a tweet which accused whistleblowers of “cheating”.

The Professional Rugby League Match Officials, which represents the game’s elite referees, has sought legal advice on whether they can launch defamation proceedings against One New Zealand boss Jason Paris.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo was furious with the social media messages from Paris, who blasted officials after the Warriors’ loss to the Panthers during Magic Round on Saturday.
And on Monday, PRLMO boss Matt Cecchin said his organisation had spoken to lawyers about their position.

“It’s not called for and the comments are appalling,” Cecchin said. “It does nothing to help and improve officials within our game, or any officials really. That’s why we’ll do whatever we can to ensure comments like this are stamped out of our game, and stamped out of any game for any officials.

“Any sort of mention of the word bias, be it conscious or unconscious, is just unacceptable. It hurts our game at every level.

“We feel strong enough to seek legal opinion and based on the information we’ll pursue whatever means necessary to ensure that it’s seen as a deterrent for anyone who thinks about making any such comments around bias.”

Paris spoke on multiple New Zealand media platforms on Monday after his rant, and took to Twitter again to back down from his accusation of cheating.

“My comments were made in the heat of the moment as a passionate fan,” Paris tweeted. “However, I do believe that there is unconscious bias happening every week against the Warriors & it needs to be addressed. All we want is consistency, but we are not getting it.”

The Warriors had two players - Jackson Ford and Demitric Sifakula - sent to the sin-bin against the Panthers as the two-time defending champions scrapped their way to an 18-6 win.

“Officials make mistakes like players do in every game,” Cecchin said. “We learn from those, but the comments taken offence to here do nothing to improve the standard of officiating. Make comments about mistakes is one thing, but suggesting bias or cheating is just not acceptable.
“We feel the comments made by this person don’t reflect 99 per cent of people that know anything about, or follow rugby league. That’s why they’re so out of the norm it’s not funny. We’re doing this to protect past officials, present officials and emerging officials.

Referees’ union weighs up legal action against Warriors’ sponsor

NRL referees have reacted angrily to comments posted on social media by the chief executive of One NZ, Jason Paris, accusing officials of bias against the Warriors.

www.smh.com.au

​

Oh, I thought everyone knew they cheated. Whoops.

 

[tiger_one]

Oh, I thought everyone knew they cheated. Whoops.

If only the Warriors' sponsor was around to fix Darcy Lawler for his shocker in '63.

 

[SeanT]

The refs might be outraged but the constant calls against the Warriors is ridiculous. I do t watch al there games but jeez they get caned when they are over here. Might not be intentional but there is a inherent baism against them.

 

[Tigertilidie32]

The refs might be outraged but the constant calls against the Warriors is ridiculous. I do t watch al there games but jeez they get caned when they are over here. Might not be intentional but there is a inherent baism against them.

Yeah but aren't we all brought up to stick it to kiwis whenever possible

 

[69-05-41]

The best defence to defamation is truth. Strange that we have not had Klown as a referee since 24/07/22. Shouldn't all teams get an equal share of the good and not so good referees?

 

[jadtiger]

The best defence to defamation is truth. Strange that we have not had Klown as a referee since 24/07/22. Shouldn't all teams get an equal share of the good and not so good referees?

I would not be surprised if we get Klein this week,Souffs should not need him but the powers that be may not risk an adverse result for their club

 

[twentyforty]

What’s the DT story about the blue Wiggle wanting to buy Tigers and revive Balmain Tigers?

 

[old_man_tiger]

Through depression, suicidal ideation and injuries, Fa'amanu Brown found salvation caring for his dying mother

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs back Fa'amanu Brown has gone to dark places during his footy career, but caring for his dying mother brought him back to his true self.

www.abc.net.au

Fa'amanu Brown - heavy story.

 

[Todd Packer]

"Former AFL player suing former couch over alleged sexual assault"

That's a Nine news headline.
Where can we buy these couches?

 

[twentyforty]

"Former AFL player suing former couch over alleged sexual assault"

That's a Nine news headline.
Where can we buy these couches?

What happened? Loose spring poked through?

 

[hank37w]

Alleged that something poked through but apparently it was not a spring.

 

[Demps]

Former (Briefly) Tiger, Tyrone Roberts in some trouble.

 

[hank37w]

What a dick.

 

[coivtny]

I think each attempt slipped up off the shoulder. Unintentionally careless, no further action.

 

[hank37w]

Fair but not consistent.