U-20 Rugby: Sports Minister directs to stall referees from matches until matters are resolved

The Minister of Sports, Faiszer Mustapha, issued an official press release stating that he had instructed Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) and Sri Lanka Rugby Referees' Society (SLRRS) not to provide referees for the ongoing Singer Schools League Rugby Championship, until pending matters are sorted out. 

On Monday The SLRRS decided to temporarily suspend assigning referees for game played by Wesley College, Zahira College and Maliyadeva College, after three different incidents that took place last Saturday (19), where referees' of all three games were either threatened or virbally abused.

"Consequent to the recent incidents where spectators have taken the law in to their own hands which resulted in threats to the safety of referees, spectators and players," the statement issued by the Ministry of Sports stated.

"This is seen as a threat to the deputation of school rugby. Consequent to the discussions I had with SLR and Referees Association it was decided no referee will be permitted at the ongoing school tournaments until a discussion is held with SLR, SLRRF, Schools Association, Education Department and School Authorities to resolve this issue and instill discipline in rugby," the statement added.

"We requested the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association to take a firm decision because as the head of the Referees society I am liable for the safety of referees,” Nizam Jamaldeen, the President of SLRRS said on Monday.

However it is said that the officials of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association and other relevant authorities are at an important ongoing discussion, at the time when TimesOnline made an attempt to obtain an official statement from the Schools Section as at 5.15pm on Wednesday (23).