Some people think that the use of offensive language is a big deal. And whilst i don't condone abusing people i will say this.
Dead f**king set. This referee would more than likely have copped this sort of abuse from a myriad of players, fans, parents and club officials on his path to refereeing A grade games.
Ask any of the current NRL officials what their time was like coming through the ranks, there's a reason they get to the top, because they have a thick skin. It's a bloody requisite of the job.
I work with a former NRL touch judge and his insight on the matter is quite interesting to say the least. Much more balanced than the media reports after being privy to some of the facts and reasons it got out of hand.
I don't personally believe that either of the Fifita brothers would have laid a hand on him, whilst you may say they are hot heads, I don't personally believe that at a local sporting ground they would let that occur. Verbal abuse and physical violence are not always linked.
Having a verbal disagreement with someone isn't the biggest drama in the world in my eyes, happens everywhere.
Referees are a protected species at local sporting grounds and with good reason, but it doesn't remove them from being at partial fault in the instigation or escalation of an incident.
I've umpired cricket for many years, made mistakes and on one particular occasion made a rather large error in relation to the understanding of a rule in a under 16 boys game that could have cost a team a shot at the finals.
After leaving the field and copping ridiculous amount of verbal sprays by nearly every parent on the sideline do you know what my approach was when questioned?
I was apologetic and sincere for my mistake... What happened? Situation was calmed down. Fortunately for me as it panned out the team made the semis and won the comp anyway.
There are clearly two sides to the story and the fault is most certainly shared as to how the incident has been instigated and then escalated.
In terms of the punishment, i honestly don't know what the NRL/Integrity unit think will be appropriate, i certainly don't believe this incident is any more serious than the manner in which the bulldogs pair conducted themselves live on TV in one of the seasons biggest games with a wide reaching audience. As this sort of very publicly viewed event will have more of an effect on the kids and bogan parents than hearing about 2 hot heads at a local ground will.
The biggest issue the NRL faces is the message that the mainstream media portray and the image damage they sustain because of it.
I just hope that the Sharks ensure that the punishment they are served fits.
