 |
The IRB in its playing charter says “At first glance it is difficult to find the guiding principles behind a game which, to the casual observer, appears to be a mass of contradictions. It is perfectly acceptable, for example, to be seen to be exerting extreme physical pressure on an opponent in an attempt to gain possession of the ball, but not willfully or maliciously to inflict injury”.
Thus those who masquerade as ardent supporters of a school or club who believe in assaulting match officials or players do not understand the principle of a sport that emphasizes on the spirit of a game. That physical pressure to gain ground and win does not give you the right to willfully inflict or attempt to inflict injury to others.
The game itself is getting into disrepute as at whatever occasion you happen to attend the question asked on rugby is: “What is happening?” “Why all this violence?” I expected and hoped that there will be some action that would have followed and that the interim council will stamp their authority to take action on the unsavory incidents. As I said previously the player involved was punished while the issue of spectator violence has been postponed for another day. I said previously it is a Jekyll and Hyde situation with the Interim. It is true and confirmed by events as they unfold.
In the past five months since assuming office what has been done is mostly to give public expression to possible private vendetta. Issuing statements that bring disrepute to a game that was once considered a gentleman’s game in Sri Lanka. If one were to take stock of events what can be said is that the Sri Lankan team too part in the Asian 5 Nations Division one.
This was embroiled in controversy over the selection of a captain. The reason for an Interim to be in place was the beginning of a controversy over an issue of captaincy and selection. Then again the Interim committee endorses virtually the same thing by going against wishes of the selection committee hiding behind the convenient minister and the sports law. While it is not my wish to record history it sickens when history keeps repeating and by those who throw stones at others. More of the authoritarian attitude and disregard for a constitution and system will be heard of in time to come. Just recapitulate and compare to see what earthly value has the interim added to rugby in Sri Lanka than continuation to sling mud other than getting the two tournaments off the ground and getting the constitution moving.
In the meanwhile an Assistant Referee (formerly known as touch judges) who proceeded to the Colombo University Grounds to officiate was assaulted by a group of persons who are supposed to be players of a University. Thereafter they also assaulted the referee. Both these officials were to officiate a school match played at the University of Colombo grounds. A tournament organized and run by the SLRFU.
The reason for the assault was for the flagging for foul play in an inter university match played previously. The two officials were assaulted by the mob have suffered injury. The assault of the first official was as I understand taken place in the presence of Union Officials including the CEO who rushed to the grounds on being informed by the Master in Charge. However the statements in our sister paper the Lankadeepa of 27th Wednesday the CEO virtually condones the acts of violence. This is a shame as Unions around the world protect referees to the extent of the IRB issuing guidelines for dealing with referee abuse. In the recent past the SLRFU has taken strong action whenever there have been instances of referee abuse.
What you can expect and what more will be in store will only be known at a time in the future. Probably worse may be seen as the laissez faire attitude taken by some who sit on committees to inquire. Despite the fact that the constitution of the SLRFU specifically naming a committee called a disciplinary committee in its regulation we find the union has sat in judgment by a one man committee headed by Rohan Gunaratne. The SLRFU disciplinary committee should consist of three persons and the Executive Director is the Secretary of that committee. Probably with the ‘I don’t care’ attitude of the person who headed the committee procedures and protocol does not matter as the court jester rule is what is in their mind. With such attitude their can be no hope as referees will have to look after themselves. The repercussion however will be detrimental to the game as most referees now believe it is better to look after themselves or leave the society and join the circus clowns.
While all this goes on schools playing in the lower groups keep complaining on the lack of security. The problem is that it is said that the home team is responsible for security. However the school takes the view that the Union is the organizer and the responsibility is of the SLRFU. Confusion all round.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB |
E-mail