Soccer: Inquiry into ref swearing claim

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Auckland referee Derek Rugg was not talking yesterday as the flak flew over allegations that he swore at players during last Friday's National Soccer League game between Parramatta Power and Canberra Cosmos in Sydney.

New Zealand referees' spokesman John Cameron said he had advised Rugg not to comment until the matter had been fully investigated by NSL referees' boss Gary Power.

The Parramatta club was expected to report to Power and the players' union, claiming Rugg swore at fullback David Barrett and his team-mates, and treated other players "with contempt."

Cameron said that after talking to Rugg he was convinced it was a storm in a teacup and that as a New Zealand referee Rugg was fair game for Australian players who were not too keen on having a New Zealand team in the NSL.

"Having refereed in Australia I know how players talk to referees," Cameron said. "That sort of talk goes on all the time. If you sent off every player who swore, you wouldn't have many left."

In his time as New Zealand's top referee, Cameron and contemporary Gary Fleet displayed the man-management skills necessary at the highest level. Rugg, and others, struggle to command the same respect.

Of the incident involving Barrett, Cameron said Rugg had explained to him that the player [Barrett] had "taken a dive" and that Rugg had said "f - get up or I'll give you a yellow card."

Cameron said the comment was aimed at the player and would not have been heard by any spectators.

"If one of our referees was heard to speak by spectators like that we would discipline him," Cameron said. "But because this complaint has come from a player in the losing team, I am treating it a little cautiously. I think the whole thing is rubbish.

"There is swearing and there is swearing. I see this as an example of Kiwi-bashing.

"As it stands there has been no complaint. If one does come it will be handled by Soccer Australia.

"At present it is just one player making a complaint," Cameron said. "But he [Barrett] says other players heard it.

"I'm sure if the matter is investigated they will look at the video. It will be interesting to see how many players were around when it happened."

Cameron said Rugg, rated No 4 on the referees' panel last season, was an automatic choice this year.