The NRL Integrity Unit is investigating a complaint that Sydney Roosters Chairman Nick Politis and Director Mark Bouris abused a senior referee at the NRL Vegas Nines competition.
Mitch James, 35, the head referee of the Illawarra Rugby League, officiated a pool match between the LA Roosters and Brisbane Veterans on Friday, February 28, and says he was approached by Politis and Bouris on the sideline after the match, won 12-10 by Brisbane on the fulltime whistle.
He also alleges that following the incident he was told by tournament director Mike Castle he would not be the touch judge for the Greece versus USA International match to be played later that day, despite having been appointed.
Politis and Bouris supported both teams at the Nines. On tournament eve, Politis said: “I am involved with Greece too, I am sponsoring them, so I hope Greece don’t play the Roosters because it would be very hard to work out who I am going to barrack for.”
In a formal complaint sent to NRL Head of Football Graham Annesley on March 2 and obtained by this masthead, James alleges he was near the officiating table on the sideline when the pair approached.
“Mr Mark Bouris and Mr Nick Politis confronted me.” he wrote. “Mr. Bouris stated, ‘I’ve seen a lot of football and that was a disgrace! You reffed us out of the game.’
Nick Politis with Sydney Roosters fans.Credit: NRL Imagery
“I responded, ‘And all your advice has been good too, has it, Mark?’ Following this, Mr. Politis began making additional remarks, at which point the ground manager intervened and ushered me away from the situation.”
James said he was not sure exactly what Politis said as, by that stage, there were “a few people” around trying to defuse the situation.
Bouris confirmed to this masthead the incident occurred. He said: “We were not in his face, I made sure we stayed our distance. We were not threatening, and we didn’t abuse him and didn’t swear.
“We did go over and I did say that I had seen a lot of football and that refereeing was disgraceful. Nick said something similar. I do not believe I said to him he ‘reffed us out of the game’. Maybe someone else said that.
“He may have filed a formal complaint against us, but we filed one against him at the tournament because of the poor standard of refereeing.”
In his complaint, James says that following the sideline incident, he was also accused of being the father of two Brisbane Veterans players, despite being only 35 and the Veterans’ youngest player “about 28”. He also says he is unable to “biologically have children” and the accusation was ridiculous.
He was questioned by two tournament officials about it.
Bouris confirmed he and Poltis asked Roosters CEO Joe Kelly to lobby officials at the tournament for an investigation into suggestions James was related to Brisbane players.
Roosters board member Mark Bouris, Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould, NFL legend Todd Gurley and Roosters chairman Nick Politis in Las Vegas.Credit: Instagram
Annesley wrote back to James the following day, saying: “I am very sorry for what you’ve been through. I completely understand how upsetting it has been for you.
“Your report has been forwarded to the NRL Integrity Unit for further consideration. A representative will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss further.
“I hope you are ok and I apologise for any hurt you have experienced. Thanks for your contribution to our Las Vegas venture and for your on-going commitment to Rugby League.”
In the complaint, James said he was particularly upset about being removed from duties for the Greece match.
“Following these incidents, I was informed that, ‘in my best interest,” I was being pulled from officiating the USA vs. Greece match’,” he wrote.
“I complied with the decision but expressed my disappointment before leaving the venue. This unjust removal further reinforced the perception that undue influence was being exerted over officials by individuals with significant power within the league.
“I want to further note that this decision was communicated to me by Mike Castle and I am aware that the NRL had no jurisdiction over those appointed match officials for that match which was under the control of USARL, the chair of which came to the tent after the original incident and complimented us on how we handled that game and apologised on behalf of the game and thanked us for being there.”
Bouris said neither he nor Politis asked for James to be removed from the Greece match and suggested officials would have made the decision after the formal complaint.
Bouris maintains the match penalty count was heavily in favour of Brisbane Veterans and James maintains he only blew mandatory penalties during the match.
The Roosters are believed to have been incensed when the referee called ‘time off’ because he wasn’t ready when Brisbane missed an attempt at goal, and granted another kick which was also missed.
There is no time-off provision in Nines.
James said that the first kick had actually been successful and the second had not, a situation which favoured the Roosters.
The Roosters heavily supported the Vegas Nines financially, sending NSW Cup players over to join LA Roosters players for the tournament.
James told this masthead he decided to complain to NRL headquarters because he was frustrated by continual abuse of referees.
“I am a simple bloke from Dapto, but I am not copping that from anyone,” James said.
“This is not about me, it’s about what we put up with every single weekend from spectators who don’t like our decisions.
“I’ve got nothing to gain or lose out of this. What I am saying is, week in and week out, because of the position I am in running the referees for the whole of the Illawarra, I know these incidents are not isolated to Las Vegas.”
Politis is overseas and could not be contacted for comment.
An NRL spokesperson said: “The NRL Integrity Unit has been notified of the complaint and is gathering relevant information.”
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