The PNG NRL referees today urged the Digicel Cup Board to provide sufficient security for the grand final match and in the future rugby league competitions.
Before the brawl last Saturday at the Sir John Guise stadium during the game between the Mt Hagen Eagles and the Agmark Rabaul Gurias, the referees expressed their disappointment on the incident and urged the Digicel Cup Board to take responsibility in providing strong security on grounds during games.
Referees director in PNG Joe Peregua said, this is not the first incident that our men had faced with such violent behaviour from the supporters and the players and team officials.
“We have encountered four similar incidents so far and some of which are very serious that my officers got beaten, stoned and even threatened and sliced with bush knives by supporters,” he said.
Adding that, three of the four incidents happen on the field of play while one happened outside of the field.
One of the referees, Robin Talopa said he was one of the victims who escaped death during the recent game between Mendi Muruks and Mt Hagen Eagles two months ago in Minj in Western Highlands where he was stoned, threatened and nicked by sharp bushknife but managed to escape.
“I have also written my incident reports and to be insured by the PNGNRL but to date nothing has been done,” he added.
Talopa expressed his disappointment saying that security on ground to safe guard his safety was very poor knowing that any professional rugby match in the Highlands is not safe.
However, the referees are now calling on the responsible committees to provide tougher security on ground where rugby league matches especially the Digicel Cup matches are played.
The referees are still awaiting the judiciary decisions on last week’s incident before deciding on whether to take the grand final match or not.