Rugby league referee hospitalised after being kicked in the throat by player

06 April 2023 , 13:54

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Brian Roper shows his injuries from the incident

A rugby league game in Australia was abandoned after a referee was allegedly booted in the throat by a player.

Brian Roper was the man in the middle for the game between Souths Inala Warriors and Dayboro at Acacia Ridge, when he signalled for a penalty for the home side. The decision infuriated one Warriors player, who then seemingly lashed out.

As a result, Roper claimed to have been kicked in anger and was forced to spend two nights in hospital and underwent a CT brain scan, having suffered injuries to his larynx. Furthermore, in the on-pitch chaos a young touch judge was also allegedly the victim of a physical assault.

According to the Daily Mail, Queensland Police and Brisbane Rugby League Referees Association have launched separate investigations into the incident. A Souths Inala player in question has been suspended while the enquiries take place.

Roper, 54, told News Corp: "I never saw it coming and copped it in the neck. While I was on the ground I saw the feet of the players coming towards me and thought 'holy s***, they are going to kick me in the head."

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He explained that two members of the Dayboro coaching team then pulled him away from the field as quickly as possible. And he admitted to being scared during the ordeal. "It is the only time I have really been frightened doing my job," he said. "I don't care who wins or loses a game — referees can only adjudicate on the rules and what is before us."

The referee had blown for a penalty when the alleged incident took place

Brisbane Rugby League Referees Association president Alan Reese said it was the first time the authority had been forced to deal with such a incident since 2000. "The last time a referee was assaulted on a football field in Brisbane was 23 years ago and the QRL, Rugby League Brisbane and the Referees Association are doing everything in their power to ensure that type of assault never happens again," he stated.

"I am aware of the rumours for calls for Souths Inala to be removed from the competition but any decision will be up to the QRL and the RLB. The association is not concerned for its refs and I am not pushing for anything apart from a fair judgment."

Both sides involved play in the Brisbane Division 1 league. The final scoreline from the clash is currently listed as 0-0 on the competition website.

Fraser Watson