The Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Football Referees (SLSRFR) met today (05th June) to decide on the fate of the future Schools League encounters that were boycotted by the referees last week due to incidents that have threatened the security of the referees.
Yesterday (4th June), the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) decided to address the issue by submitting a report to the SLSRFR with clauses that would help ensure the safety of the referee. Disciplinary action was also taken against the Masters In Charge of Rugby at both Dharmaraja College and St. Josephs College who were given a six month ban from Association activities. The SLSRFA have also instructed the referees not to commence games if they are not satisfied with the security provided by the host school.
ThePapare.com contacted the head of the Referees Society, Orville Fernando who gave a brief outlook on the decision that followed the meeting within the Referees Society.
Firstly, he acknowledged the fact that the SLSRFR was not entirely pleased with the report submitted by the Schools Rugby Association. However, they have decided on a few requirements to proceed with refereeing the rest of the league games.
The Referees Society has decided that if they are to participate in any Dharmajara matches, the coach will have to be sacked or not be allowed within the premises, secondly the referee’s society has requested that games involving Dharmaraja, St. Josephs and Isipathana will have to be played behind closed doors without any spectators, which includes parents as well.
If the claims are met, the games that will be affected will be the Royal v Dharmaraja, St. Josephs v Science and Isipathana v Trinity.
The Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association will have to submit a report by Friday to the Referees Association on the progress of the recommendations, and a decision will be taken on the outcome of the games in the coming week.
Also the St. Anthony’s v Science encounter which did not take place as scheduled on Sunday, will be shifted to the following weekend if the Referees Association agrees to officiate the games.
