McCallum Rules on 'Slow Motion' Replay Action
Greg McCallum, the Rugby Football League's Director of Referees' Performance, has asked the professional game's match officials to re-embrace the sport's existing decision-making facilities and not to be so dependent on the video replay referee.
The RFL's referee supremo has moved following several controversial incidents during recent Tetley Bitter Super League matches when referees have ruled out 'scores' because of infringements very early in a build up and have increasingly sought a ruling from an event several play-the-balls before the eventual touch down.
McCallum has, since returning from his holiday in Australia, conducted an in-depth opinion survey of players, clubs and officials as well as fans' organisations about their reaction to the operation of the video referee in such circumstances.
He said: "Referees have always had the power to ask video referees to analyse incidents early in build-up moves but, having heard what people both within and without the game have to say on the matter, I have asked the referees to utilise existing decision-making aids more often.
"Available to them are touch judges and in-stand coaches. The video referee is still able to help with the decision-making process close to or over the goal line but I shall be asking referees to utilise their other aides before asking for a ruling on alleged incidents either very early in the tackle count or a considerable distance from the goal line."
JOHN HUXLEY
Media and PR Manager.
Issued by the Media and Marketing Department of the Rugby Football League,
Red Hall, Red Hall Lane, Leeds LS17 8NB. Telephone: 0113 237 5014 (direct
line), 0113 232 3838 (fax) johnh@rfl.uk.com (e-mail).