Newcastle Falcons boss Dean Richards has accused match officials of favouritism after his side was reduced to 14 men during the 15-14 loss to Exeter Chiefs this past Sunday.
Newcastle had to play most of the match with 14 men after captain Callum Chick, in his 99th game for the club, was shown a red card in the first half for a high tackle on Exeter fullback Josh Hodge.
Post-match, Richards cut a frustrated figure as he slammed the match officials.
“The boys in the changing room are saying some of the decisions were questionable.”
“There’s obviously a bit of favouritism in some way shape or form or they don’t know what they’re doing”
Dean Richards on the officiating during Newcastle Falcons’ defeat to Exeter ? pic.twitter.com/M7RqbIxLGa
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“We didn’t get the rub of the green from the officials. Some of the boys are in the changing rooms saying some of the decisions are questionable, some boys are actually being a bit more vocal than that,” Richards said.
“Adam Brocklebank gets penalised in a scrum when their tighthead quiet clearly goes to the floor and you just think what the hell is going on here.
“There is obviously a bit of favouritism in some shape or form or they don’t know what they are doing. The boys just don’t know what is happening from one week to the next with some of the officiating. It is really disappointing.”
In 2021, SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus was handed a two-month ban from all rugby activities after he made a video criticising referee Nic Berry for his performance during the first Test between the Springboks and British & Irish Lions. Erasmus is still serving a ban from match-day activities, which runs until October.
Photo: George Wood/Getty Images
