New Zealand referee Ben O'Keefe has revealed the horrific abuse he received after officiating the Chiefs v Crusaders Super Rugby final.
The match took place on Saturday, with Richie Mo'unga's Crusaders pipping their rivals 20-25 at FMG Stadium in Waikato.
O'Keefe was the man in the middle on the day, and went on to receive a plethora of horrendous messages from Chiefs fans on social media.
It followed awkward scenes when O'Keefe and his officiating team were loudly booed inside the stadium as they received their match medals on stage after the game.
Some trolls branded O'Keefe a "disgrace to the job of a referee". Below are just some of the sickening insults.
- "Never ref again, I'll smash your f*****g face in if I ever see you walking around town."
- "You're dead c**t, I'll slit your throat."
- "How much have the Crusaders paid you? You f*****g muppet c**t. I'll f*****g smash you if I see you c**t."
The Test match referee, who officiated Wales v Argentina in Cardiff during the autumn, drew comparisons with the treatment of the Europa League final referee Anthony Taylor. The English football official had a bottle and chair hurled at him whilst walking through the airport with his family after Roma lost to Sevilla on penalties.
Below reads the Kiwi's full statement.
"Abuse in any form is never OK. Unfortunately, as a union referee at the highest level, I have had to accept and grow accustomed to the post-match vitriol that fans normalise post game. It’s a sad reality that it doesn’t affect me anymore, but that doesn’t mean it’s ok.
"I think back to the Europa League Final referee walking through the airport and his family getting chairs thrown at them – I hope my family is never subjected to this but the direction some fans are going now in rugby, I know we are closer than we have ever been. This is one of many recent examples when someone has crossed the line towards a match official in Rugby.
"Referees are part of the game, and we need support from players and coaches to have the tough conversations privately but to publicly back and support their officials – not criticise. This will change the way the fans treat us.
"Abuse is out there and for anyone going through it right now in any form please understand there is support there, people do love you, there is help available and if all else fails, send me a message and I would be happy to talk with you.
"Let’s celebrate the season, let’s celebrate what was a great final from the players.
"There were some excellent decisions, and some poor ones that I accept I made and need to improve on – continual growth is something that excites me to be better for the game.
"We need rugby to be the best game in the world, on and off the field - let’s do it together."
You can read his Instagram post below, swipe through the photos to see more.
Sonny Bill Williams also appeared to be unhappy with the referee's performance.
New Zealand's leading rugby organisations have shown their support for the 34-year-old.
"We're right behind you, Ben" said Super Rugby.
"Thanks for all that you do for rugby Ben, we’ve got your back" said New Zealand Rugby.
O'Keefe will referee at this year's Rugby World Cup in France.
