Most biased referee in history? : Sat Nov 19, 2022 10:25 am  

Having watched the wheelchair final last night, which was fantastic, I don't think I've ever seen a referee like the French guy down the side. He was fuming when a decision went in England's favour. He was the guy who ruled out a perfectly good England try, as far as anyone else saw, and he was arguing about the decision to award the winning try, when it looked a perfect try.

I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. I've seen poor refereeing, but that was open hostility to any English success. We had the benefit of replays to see how bad he was, but even the crowd in the arena spotted it, booing him when he got his medal. I'm just glad England managed to get it home despite him. Superb game.

Re: Most biased referee in history? : Sat Nov 19, 2022 10:44 am  

Slugger McBatt wrote:

Having watched the wheelchair final last night, which was fantastic, I don't think I've ever seen a referee like the French guy down the side. He was fuming when a decision went in England's favour. He was the guy who ruled out a perfectly good England try, as far as anyone else saw, and he was arguing about the decision to award the winning try, when it looked a perfect try.

I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. I've seen poor refereeing, but that was open hostility to any English success. We had the benefit of replays to see how bad he was, but even the crowd in the arena spotted it, booing him when he got his medal. I'm just glad England managed to get it home despite him. Superb game.

Never seen officiating like that at any level in any sport.
He certainly seemed to be in favour of The French and at one point it looked like he was going to storm of the pitch in protest.
Absolutely unbelievable.

You would expect that he may not be officiating for a little while after that.

It was a great game though and an England World Cup win !

Re: Most biased referee in history? : Sat Nov 19, 2022 3:00 pm  

And he was still sulking when he was presented with his medal at the end, which he took off straight away before marching off....unbelievable Jeff

Re: Most biased referee in history? : Sat Nov 19, 2022 3:24 pm  

I think a wheelchair must have run over his foot. Seriously he should be suspended.

Re: Most biased referee in history? : Sat Nov 19, 2022 3:52 pm  

The footage of him after was even worse. Embarrassment of a clear cheat

Re: Most biased referee in history? : Sat Nov 19, 2022 6:53 pm  

Yes definitely the most biased ref i have seen. However today i have witnessed one of the most incompetent ones, Jack Smith. I have had a gutfull of his many lousy performances in our games over the years and today he proved he cant even tun the touch.

Re: Most biased referee in history? : Sat Nov 19, 2022 7:19 pm  

Prince Buster wrote:

Yes definitely the most biased ref i have seen. However today i have witnessed one of the most incompetent ones, Jack Smith. I have had a gutfull of his many lousy performances in our games over the years and today he proved he cant even tun the touch.

James Child did the same in another World Cup final. Just don't give the flag to an English ref.

Re: Most biased referee in history? : Sat Nov 19, 2022 7:59 pm  

John Hebblethwaite anybody?

Re: Most biased referee in history? : Mon Nov 21, 2022 3:40 pm  

You don't have to go that far back.
How can anyone ever forget Klein's performance against us in the play off game at Wigan.
Following that he was deported to Australia for crimes against rugby league and should never have been allowed near the game again. That he is now considered a top referee speaks volumes for the appalling standard of refereeing throughout the entire game.

Re: Most biased referee in history? : Tue Nov 22, 2022 4:15 pm  

Have to agree that he was dire when he refereed over here all those years ago, but credit where it's due, he officiates at a totally different standard these days and IMO is now one of the game's best referees