Disgusting. Life bans for all (if they are even rugby fans). https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/66630712

Disgusting. Life bans for all (if they are even rugby fans). https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/66630712

But not surprising. It's pathetic and embarrassing, and the people committing it should be ashamed.

The Guardian reporting that Lisone is under investigation for tweeting after the game that referees should be held accountable just like players.

I mean if that’s not aimed at anyone in particular then can he not just argue it’s a statement of fact?

whats wrong with that? he is 100% correct. they should be accountable for there performances.

Its disgusting and has no part in modern life.

It doesn't help when the players and coaches use this as a deflection technique to hide their own short comings. Newman is a prime example - his behaviour on the field is appalling yet many on here will defend him to the hilt. Smith is obviously feeling the pressure!! You never see them highlighting where they have bad decisions go their way!! Players constantly trying to con the ref - how often do you see players claim tries they know they haven't scored - blame anyone when they drop the ball cold. If we want better refereeing the players and the coaches have to do their bit.

Journalists the same and fans who take the game far too seriously as the idiot above. It starts with junior RL where parents should know better but behave like complete numpties egged on by each other - its a disgrace.

Remember - No ref, no game

do you mean me david? if so please point out where I condone abuse. refs in all sports are accountable for there performances, as are players. it's his the best get to the top. there us a difference between that and abuse. I know, I had the balls to do it

I think he means the person who sent the messages to Griffiths

They should be held accountable but those messages are abhorrent.
Hopefully police will pay them a visit and hold them accountable too.
Happy fir club to ban them too

Should refs be respected. Yes. Should they be protected from the crap like what has been highlighted above. Yes.

But at a professional level should they be held accountable and be open to criticism presented in the right way from other stakeholders. Also yes.

Just my thoughts, I know it’s a hard job, I’m good friends with a couple of refs, but at top level there has to be certain standards. I don’t think Smiths reaction was due to pressure either.

Smiths reaction is consistent with his gripes about the ruck all season. It wasn't changed then and it certainly wont change now.

As Tad has correctly said previously, there's the way Rohan wants / expects the game to play, banging up the side of how it is ACTUALLY being played.

I'm not sure what posters mean when they say accountable. Without any evidence, though I am sure it is out there, I would say refs are fitter, more aware, better prepared, more scrutinised then ever before. This will include review of performance by whoever controls/appoints refs. I have seen thousands of games of RL & can only think of 2 where I thought the ref gave a performance that I was angry about. They have to make hundreds of decisions every game & get 99% correct. There might be a forum for coaches to feedback to the ref controllers; I have no idea but would be amazed if not. This should be done later in the week of a game rather than at a press conference. The top teams do seem to get the benefit of calls. I have played for one of the worst teams in the country at the time & it certainly felt like that, but with hindsight as we were doing all the defending we probably did commit more errors. Almost all sports I follow are in the same boat of criticising/persecuting their officials, calling them the worst in any sport. They are not.

Accountability and that abuse are two very seperate things.

I heard a lengthy interview with James Child on Radio Leeds recently. I thought it was brilliant, or he was. Can you imagine not being able to go to see your son, partner, father officiating due to the abuse they receive?

Smith is 100% correct about this though, however I do agree mentioning every week will change nothing, he does get asked about it every week though by the 'journalists' I think he should just say you know my thoughts on that and leave it there.