Des Hasler lands himself in hot water for ‘dubious calls’ outburst following Manly’s defeat by Parra – as NRL boss Andrew Abdo calls on coaches to ‘show respect’ to referees
- Des Hasler’s post-match criticism of referees is under review, the NRL confirmed
- Hasler vented his fury with ‘dubious calls’ in his side’s razor-thin loss to Parra
- NRL chief Andrew Abdo said that his remarks are being investigated by the NRL
- Abdo called on coaches to ‘show respect’ to officials, who have a difficult job
Des Hasler’s post-match criticism of the referees after Manly’s loss to Parramatta is being reviewed, NRL chief Andrew Abdo has confirmed.
Manly coach Hasler was unable to hide his disappointment with ‘dubious calls’ against his side after Eels star Mitch Moses slotted through a game-winning conversion in a dramatic finale to their match.
He singled out referee Ben Cummins’s decision to punish Christian Tuipulotu for a high tackle, while Sea Eagles players echoed their coach’s frustrations on Tuesday.
Des Hasler is being investigated for his post-match criticism of refereeing calls by the NRL
Forward Josh Aloiai said: ‘We were pretty hard done by, for the most part, the ref did us no favours, particularly in the back end of the game. I think he did a bad job and we didn’t get away with the win. So I’m pretty unhappy with him, to be honest with you.’
NRL chief executive Abdo directly addressed Manly’s frustrations and confirmed that Hasler’s comments were under review by the league, meaning he is at risk of copping a fine.
‘His comments are under review, so I won’t talk specifically about his comments, but I will talk generally,’ Abdo said via Wide World of Sports.
The Sea Eagles lost out to Parramatta after Mitch Moses kicked a late winner on Saturday
Hasler hit out at the ‘dubious calls’ which he feels impeded his team against the Eels
‘Everyone needs to take a bit of a breath and show respect for what is a very difficult job.
‘I think we all need to move towards being more respectful and more professional generally.
‘Respect for match officials and referees is important, not just at the NRL level … we all have a job to do to recognise, respect and acknowledge the difficult job the match officials do. They do a good job.
However, NRL chief Andrew Abdo says coaches need to ‘show respect’ to officials this season
‘They make mistakes from time to time, that’s normal. It’s a professional sport, there are a lot of 50/50 calls that could go either way.
‘Our fans are passionate, there will always be debate in any sport, but this concept of thinking referees are deliberately making mistakes or not heavily scrutinised following the match on an independent basis, is not true.’
Hasler has grown accustomed to picking up fines for his post-match remarks in the past. Back in 2015, while coaching at the Bulldogs, he paid $20,000 following fierce criticism over referees’ handling of the 10-metre rule in a win over the Knights.