For my 2 cents of nonsense -I think if Fifita was totally out of control someone would have been hurt ,and as the saying goes "its all good fun till someone gets hurt".
However in defence of referees ,I recall my attempt at reffing a city comp women's basket ball match when I was 17. Ref hadn't turned up so Players and coach of one side begged me to do it so game wouldn't be called off. They were a high school side with some talent ,teamwork and idea of the rules . the opposition must have been told by their parole officers to join a team sport to help with their anger management .
I was actually pleased when I managed to keep the game going With the best side winning,by only calling the deliberate rough stuff and letting a few clumsy ,ignorance of rules fouls go. (a lot probably)
Anyway after the game I had two captains ,Coaches, Parents ,husbands , boyfriends , big brothers , pet dogs etc screaming at me . Never reffed again. Don't know why anyone would , but there wouldn't be a game without them . So leave the refs alone take complaints up later with their bosses . Give the fifitas big enough penalty to reflect that ,not big enough to make everyone else associated with them suffer.
