Unruly crowd tarnishes rugby’s image

EP Rugby bosses must launch an urgent inquiry after alarming reports surfaced regarding the ongoing abuse of referees at school and club levels. The problem is so widespread that the EP Rugby Referees Society say they are having difficulty recruiting whistlemen to fill their dwindling ranks. Referees society chair Phillip Bosch explained that abuse starts with club officials and then filters through to the players and spectators.

Referees are appointed to officiate at school matches in the morning and then assigned to blow EPRU Grand Challenge matches in the afternoon.

The problem of unruly crowds abusing refs and players is not a new phenomenon in the Eastern Cape.

Chaos erupted at a Super 14 club rugby match in Jeffreys Bay in March when spectators invaded the pitch after the final whistle, stabbing and wounding at least three players.

The incident occurred shortly after PE Harlequins beat Jeffreys Bay, resulting in local supporters allegedly attacking the visiting team.

Two players from the Harlequins U21 team were wounded, while one of the senior team members underwent surgery after suffering extensive wounds to his arm.

EC Super Rugby released a statement condemning the incident and said steps would be taken to ensure such incidents did not occur in the future. The body also called on the EP Rugby Union and SA Rugby to investigate the incident, and take decisive action against those involved.

There was confusion at the Adcock Stadium two weeks ago when Harlequins and Motherwell had to play a shortened 30 minutes a half match after a referee arrived more than an hour late.

Bosch says referees are appointed to referee a school game scheduled to start at 1.30pm and the same official then heads off to officiate a club rugby game later on the same day.

He says school games never start on time and this results in the referee running behind schedule for the afternoon club match.

Bosch said a recent plea from EP president Maasdorp Cannon for clubs to provide at least two referees had fallen on deaf ears. No time must be wasted stamping out referee abuse, which tarnishes the sport’s image.