Quote: sergeant pepper "This 1000000%
The ref got the call right last night. He, like others have said, used a bit of common sense. Like you say, it's a fast paced game and accidents happen. We don't need players sitting out periods of games for it.
The fact however that one week, a ref can use common sense & the week before, in the biggest game of the season, he can can't - screams to me that he wanted to send him off and have it all about himself.
OT and to another point and I think Nicky Kiss raised earlier in the week, asking where the uproar was from other fans etc. I think we can safely say, after French got dumped on his head, that if it's a Wigan player getting lifted in a tackle it's ok.
It's all just a bit ridiculous, but this is what happens when people keep sticking up for the officiating. The club's don't say anything publicly, sky glance over it and there's no accountability in the media either. If this was footy, they'd be all over it. They'd be hammered on TV by pundits and managers, they'd be mentioned in the press, or debated on Talk Sport etc. we just bend over and take it.'"
I think your argument is fundamentally flawed in that the referees are applying criteria that is set for them by the governing body. Moylan was yellow because Field was falling on contact which is a mitigating factor according to criteria. Byrne was red because Percival wasn't falling. It seems very clear to me.
I think there have been issues with the MRP this year - the level of successful appeals has demonstrated a lack of consistency. But referees in this context shouldn't be blamed for doing the job that has been set out for them. If they ignore the criteria and choose to go another way they'll be out of a job just as anyone would if they choose not to follow the rules of the workplace.
I understand you don't like it and you may think everyone's gone soft etc but the underlying fact (not opinion but fact) is that the game can't play without insurance and insurance wasn't going to be provided without the changes. Write a letter to the insurers if you're angry about it.