Digicel Cup refs threaten boycott

Normal, Sports
Source:

The National – Wednesday, July 6, 2011

THE Port Moresby-based Digicel Cup referees have threatened to boycott the games this weekend unless franchise club Gulf Isapeas retracts allegations of “match fixing” against one of their senior members.
The Port Moresby Rugby League Referees Association secretary Joe Peregua made the call after one of his senior colleagues (named) was featured prominently in a weekly newspaper.
Peregua said the report was damaging to his referees who had been threatend through verbal abuse and physical confrontation.
“The report had damaged the integrity of the referees, especially from Port Moresby, but a lot of fans would claim that their colleagues from other parts of PNG are the same which is untrue,” Peregua said.
It is understood the claims did not go down well with the sponsors, Digicel and the PNG NRL Office in Port Moresby.
Digicel Cup operations manager Hubert Warupi wanted the referee to pursue the matter and resolve the matter amicably.