“Referees Are Killing The Game” Says Saracens Boss

Saracens boss Brendan Venter has made a blistering attack on refereeing standards in the Premiership, saying they are killing the game in England. In response the RFU say they are investigating his actions.

Venter was unhappy with referee Dave Rose’s performance in Sarries’ defeat by Leicester, implying the official had been influenced at half-time.  Venter, speaking after his Premiership-leading Saracens were beaten 22-15 by Leicester on Saturday, said: ‘There is a problem and that is the game is determined by referees and not by teams.

Venter’s comments will strike a chord with rugby fans up and down the country who have become increasingly frustrated by the tackle and breakdown area. So many offences are available to the referee that it is inevitable some will be picked up more than others by different officials. The South African also said that after he complained to the Rugby Football Union’s refereeing bosses about the officiating of the Saracens v London Irish game last month, assessor Tony Spreadbury agreed with him on 25 of 27 contentious decisions.

A World Cup winner with South Africa in 1995, Venter also criticised the growing trend of ‘preventative refereeing’, where officials constantly talk to players, warning and guiding them and blowing the whistle only if the warnings are ignored. Venter, who took over at the London club at the start of the season and brought in a host of South Africans, is likely to be punished by the RFU for his comments but has already gained support in the media. Stephen Jones, rugby correspondent for the Sunday Times, made Venter ‘man of the match’ for his comments and said that if he were to be fined, all rugby fans should chip in.

The RFU released a statement today which read: ‘Such negative public commentary on the performance of referees, either individually or collectively, and the disclosure of confidential discussions held between the RFU and Mr Venter are highly inappropriate and do not enhance the image of the game. ‘The RFU legal officer will be investigating the matter to decide if there is a case to answer under Rule 5.12 for bringing the game into disrepute and, if there is, will refer that to the disciplinary officer.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.