The National Rugby League (NRL) is calling for a marked increase in respect towards its referees from all stakeholders, including players, coaches, club officials, and fans, in the wake of a weekend filled with contentious calls and subsequent criticism. Kasey Badger, one of two female referees among the NRL’s 19-strong officiating core, bore the brunt of the backlash following her performance in the Bulldogs’ 22-14 win over the Tigers on Saturday.
During the match, Badger sent two Tigers players to the sin-bin in the closing stages, with prop David Klemmer being dismissed for dissent towards her. The decisions sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with many suggesting that the reaction was intensified due to Badger’s gender. Belinda Sharpe is the only other female referee in the NRL’s elite officiating ranks.
In his Monday briefing, NRL head of football operations Graham Annesley acknowledged the considerable discussion surrounding the Bulldogs-Titans game but emphasized that respect for referees must improve across the board, regardless of gender. “This is not a gender issue, and my discussion today is not about gender,” Annesley stated. “Because even when referees do make mistakes, they don’t make mistakes because of their gender, they make mistakes because they’re human.”
Badger, who took charge as lead referee for the first time in round 27 last year, has officiated three NRL games this season, including a golden-point clash between Canberra and Gold Coast in round six. During that match, Gold Coast coach Des Hasler heavily criticized Badger’s performance in his post-match press conference, while Raiders coach Ricky Stuart expressed sympathy for Badger after several Titans players repeatedly argued calls on the field.
Annesley stressed that players should be cautious about confronting match officials, stating, “There are certain boundaries that can’t be crossed. Captains have the right to approach the referees to ask the reasons for a certain decision. That doesn’t give them the right to have a full-blown debate about whether a decision’s right or wrong. And it doesn’t give them the right to approach referees and apply pressure to them to try and influence a decision.”
He further noted that Badger, as a rookie referee, may face additional challenges from players testing her boundaries. “We have to remember it doesn’t only happen to female referees. There are plenty of players who have towered over male referees and attempted to exert some influence,” Annesley added. “But we have to know where that line in the sand is and not overstep that mark. It can incite the fans and we can have incidents that flow from that.”
The conduct of players, coaches, and club officials can also encourage fans to target referees on social media, as witnessed in Badger’s case. Annesley condemned the actions of “keyboard warriors” who attack referees maliciously and harmfully online, stating that such behavior is unacceptable and encourages others to follow suit.
Both Annesley and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo emphasized the potential risk of people being deterred from pursuing refereeing careers due to the abuse and criticism they face at all levels of the game. “Referees deserve respect and support, from grassroots to elite,” Abdo said. “And they will always have that from me and the game.”
As the NRL prepares to release its match officials for the upcoming round on Tuesday, the league remains committed to fostering a culture of respect towards referees, irrespective of their gender or experience level. The NRL recognizes that the integrity and fairness of the game depend on the ability of referees to perform their duties without undue pressure or abuse from any quarter.