Referee Makes Emergency Phone Call Mid-Game to Seek Clarification
Both Police Sports Club and the Navy Sports Club have sent letters of complaints to the Chairman Tournament Committee regarding the match officials who officiated their ‘B’ Division rugby game played on the 24th of February 2025 at Welisara.
In a game marked by frequent stoppages, particularly due to the controversy surrounding a try that was initially awarded and later overturned, play came to a standstill. Eventually, the referee was reported to have resorted to using his mobile phone to make an emergency phone call seek clarification and resolve the ongoing disputes on the field.
Even complaints about the Assistant Referees escalated the issue even more.
Earlier, the Superintendent of Police Ajantha Rodrigo, who also serves as the Manager of the Police Rugby Sports Club, had officially submitted a letter to the Director of the Anti-Corruption Sports Unit under the Ministry of Sports on the 18th January 2025. In his complaint, he makes serious allegations against the Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Referees Association (SLSRFR), claiming that they have accepted financial assistance and liquor from certain clubs and old boys’ unions of specific schools in exchange for manipulating the outcomes of officiated rugby matches.
Navy SC’s Letter of Complaint
Police SC’s Letter of Complaint
