When it comes to Refs, footy have it right imo. The attitude players, coaches and fans have towards refs is exactly what I want to see in RL.

If that’s the line they want to draw with players giving the ref grief, then do it but they need to draw the line, tell people where it is and what was said in this case and then everyone can move forward but it’s all a mystery at the moment. ‘Questioning the integrity of the ref’ makes it sound like he’s said something along the lines of him being an ‘effing cheat’. Is that worth 7 games?! If it is, get the message out there and players can deal with it but I go back to it all feeling a bit precious if that’s the case.

O’Donnell got off extremely lightly IMO and Hardaker and Leigh should’ve been sanctioned for having the brass neck to appeal that ban. What’s happened to the old frivolous appeal line?!

The ref has an hard enough job without players whinging and moaning all the time. I’m assuming Griffin called the ref a cheat which for me should be a serious charge with a very lengthy suspension. The authorities have let discipline drop over the years and now all teams continually challenge the refs decisions and claim for penalties when there is no reason for the ref to give a penalty. How often do we see 10 yards given for backchat? I would agree that the authorities should advise clubs that a line has been drawn in the sand and make them aware of potential consequences if players cross that line.
The biggest cheat on the day was Griffin. His ill discipline cheated Hull fans and players of staying in the CC.
Historically as a game most fans were proud how players respected refs unfortunately, that no longer applies. It’s an easy fix if the authorities have the balls to resolve the issue.

Agree that Leigh were out of order in appealing on those decisions.

I agree but, on the other hand, how are players supposed to react with such inconsistency with the refs decisions. The refs decisions should 100% be respected on the feld of play but, if found to be incorrect, they should be subjected to the same scrutiny as a players actions during a match

Refs need to be protected from the abuse of players/fans etc... but they should not be protected from their own mistakes

I don’t disagree Gareth.
But in the heat of the moment so to speak refs need to be protected from abusive attacks.
Refs should be reviewed post match on their performance and if this found to be below standard then they should be advised of this and if necessary dropped from future matches.
Nobody is perfect but players at times think that they are.

Does the coach have the opportunity to speak to the ref at half time? If so, i know both coaches are likely to be saying you are letting the opposition get away with x, y and z, however, it can be done in a more controlled fashion, than in the instance we are talking. Griffin is clearly f***ed off with a decision or series of decisions, bite your tongue and let Tony Smith have a word at HT

another option could be a ref challenge, which if the team is correct, they retain or lose if incorrect. i know that may not prevent the Griffin incident, especially if you've blown the challenge early doors

IMO the ref should be protected in a way on the pitch during the game, however, should be scrutinised post match, and if found to be sub-standard, highlight the issues, if consistently poor, then demoted to lower league until performances are up to scratch. On one hand i feel for the refs as they are in a no win situation as both sets of players / fans will see a call differently, and we need them for us to have the game we love watching, but on the other hand at times it feels like it is all about them and making poor / inconsistent decisions

Isn't this what is already supposed to happen? Sure i have read before that ref's also go through a review and disciplinary process.

Griffin's ban is more than deserved imo. To speak to the ref in the manner he seemed to and is reported to have, get carded and then keep going as he is walking away to then be carded again. That level of disrespect towards officials can't be allowed to slide.

Then we should also stop refs laughing and joking with players during a game. They are there to officiate not to bond with them. They can’t be all pally and then throw out the toys when something is said back at them .

This.

There's kids and teenagers who play the game watching that game and if its ignored then its a green light for them to abuse refs with no fear of being punished. There has to be a precedent set from a professional point of view.

The minutes say he called him a f*@king cheat on two occasions (although Griffin disputes that, saying he called him an arrogant summat or other). If that’s now a long ban then fair enough, we know where we stand and players who do it will get everything they deserve.

I thought it was interesting that Richard Silverwood agreed it’s a ban but thought it was excessive at 7 games. He thought 4 games would be about right and I tend to agree. It’s hard not to compare incidents like for like and the same bans (or very similar) for what Josh Maguire apparently said in his two incidents, compared to this or O’Donnell getting a game less for something that could’ve paralysed a player feels wrong in my book but I go back to this now being a line in the sand moment and it it is, fair enough. The next player to say something similar will be even thicker than Griffin.