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I have just emailed this to the RFL:


Dear Sir/Madam,
Having just watched the Leeds v Wakefield match I felt compelled to write to you to question the ethics with which you govern the game. I (like many others) are having serious doubts as to whether refereeing / disciplinary is actually being run correctly and although it's a bold statement, I believe that either absolute incompetence or corruption are playing a major factor in modern Rugby League.

I am a Wigan fan and was very disappointed when Michael McIllorum was sent off against St Helens last weekend. I questioned whether it was a sending off but given that it was the player in question, it seemed the writing was on the wall. I was appalled when he received a three match ban as the offence simply didn't deserve it in my opinion. I appreciate that I'm biassed but to me it looked to be a clumsy challenge rather than anything deliberate but I still maintain it was a tough call to send the player off. However, I can see why he needed to be shown a red card and I will have to accept it. Wigan have appealed against the ban but as usual, the disciplinary committee were quite obviously disinterested and the ban stood. It was a very harsh punishment for a relatively minor offence.

What I find utterly disgraceful is the inconsistency with which the referees conduct themselves. It appears that it's down to a particular ref and /or a particular team as to how players are treated.

I have just watched Kylie Leuluia punch a player in the face in front of the referee and NOTHING was done other than a penalty being awarded. This is a deliberate attempt to injure another player and yet nothing happens. I would argue that because it's a Leeds player, the rules of the game don't necessarily apply but I want to know how you, as the governing body, can explain to me why my team are being punished massively and yet Leeds and Leuluai are not.

The truth is that you can't. There is not a reason out there that will explain why Michael McIllorum's season is over while Leuluai will play again. I would also mention Paul Wood in the CC cup final. A deliberate punch, and no punishment at all.

Harrison Hansen was taken out completely off the ball against Les Catalans yesterday and again, whilst a penalty was awarded, why is there not a red card and why is there not a three match ban? YOU set the precedent by banning McIllorum and yet when it's another team, the rules that you've set out do not apply.

Are you corrupt or just absolutely incompetent?

I would very much appreciate a reply to this email offering some explanation but I doubt you'll be able to muster anything nearly satisfactory.

You are making enemies in the fans left, right and centre. I am not the only one with this opinion.

I look forward to hearing your excuses,
Paul Seddon.

I sent this to the RFL on 13/09/2012, and not yet received a response.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eim2v2n6P4U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV_2O2_PJKU

Please kindly advise why Michael McIllorum receives a three match ban for a head tackle when Setiamata Sa's tackle on Sam Tomkins is totally disregarded by the RFL and Sa goes unpunished.
This is the very same referee officiating at both games who stands about the same distance away from the impact area when the incidents take place. Child chooses not to punish Sa for a clear head shot, yet is quick to act on the video referee giving him earpiece feedback in the McIllorum tackle. Do we have double standards.
Both matches have video evidence available to you yet you clearly and evidently choose to disregard the footage available to you in the case of Setiamata Sa.

Please kindly advise of why such double standards are clearly evident in our game of Rugby League.

Michael Nicholson.

After the Leeds v cantalan game, I would say corruption is the right word,
Leeds try first McGuire dropped the ball knock on secon in the same play Leeds go over from a fall ward pass Cantalons robbed. Second swinging arm from McGuire red card needed, this was just put on report,(what do you thing McGuire will get 1hour detention with hethrington) and to rub salt in the wounds Eddy Emings brushing over this by saying how the ref gave Cantalons more leeway than he did for Leeds, I feel for the hard working fans that pay there money week in week out, to keep all these people in jobs (the panel on Sky Super league is getting bigger every year) hern your money and tell it how it is, hard talk would do the trick with the right people on the panel. Keep rugby league GREAT.

Now now - the RFL have to sell out Old Trafford and those Catalans might not have brought enough supporters to the match.

You know it makes sense.

In the Cats v Whino's game was this not the same referee that benefitted Leeds 3 tries in the Challenge Cup semi by allowing play to continue after a blatent knock on 2 forward passes.
Will be interesting to see if he is to officiate in our semi if we choose the whino's for the semi.

We will know whether the RFL is corrupt when McGuire comes before the committee next week. What's the betting on this?

LORENZO wrote:We will know whether the RFL is corrupt when McGuire comes before the committee next week. What's the betting on this?

1 match if McGuire still has the 'Early Guilty' plea card available.

I only joined the game at 14-12 but it was one way traffic in terms of refereeing. Three high tackles in a row with nothing more than a penalty which were never going to result in a shot at goal and Peacock fully in front of the line and almost in the play the ball area when forcing a supposed knock-on. Peacock, I think, is seen as a former great player who is allowed to do anything he wants to compensate for the onset of age.