Fiji rugby referee James Bolabiu claims his climb to international success was accelerated by the discipline he commands on the field.

He is calling on his local soccer counterparts to pull their socks up and blow the whistle when reprimand calls during a match.

Bolabiu, 25, who is today in South Africa as the first South Pacific Islander to officiate in the Currie Cup tournament, said soccer rules allow freedom for players to instigate unprofessional actions like the recent manhandling of referee Dhirendra Kewal during the Battle of the Giants tournament at the National Stadium in Suva.

Kewal, among Fiji’s leading whistle men, was assaulted by some members of the Suva team during the semifinal match between Suva and Labasa.

Bolabiu said soccer should take queue from rugby in the protection of referees.

“We are also human. We have two hands and a pair of eyes and ears like everyone else. There are rooms for mistakes but that should not be taken fro granted, we have our assistance on sidelines and referees are the sole judge of any match. That’s the law everywhere and it has to be followed,” he added.

“Soccer rules, starting from international level are giving freedom for players to instigate unwarranted actions. They are allowed to question referees, group up against the referee when they are not happy with a decision or whenever they want referees’ attention with their Hollywood acts. They do all sorts of gestures, take their jerseys off or run out of the field when celebrating. These are unprofessional conducts and they are allowing that thin line of confrontation between players and the referee on the field. Sport is to entertain fans and not where players start their own Hollywood acts to get attention. It is happening in soccer and players are not afraid to do those actions because the rules allow them.”

“There are two teams of 11 players, 22 men on the field against one referee. No human and no magic can immediately stop a brawl or a punch at a split second when it is thrown at a referee on the field.”

“Players should not be allowed to confront referees on the field except for the captain during progress of matches.”

Bolabiu who was the only rugby referee in the world to officiate in all legs of the IRB 7s Series this year and recently participated in the Tri Nations Tests between New Zealand and Australia, said rugby referees were well protected by the IRB.

“No player can talk bad openly nor confront a referee other than the captain on the field because of the penalties and sentences mounting to thousands of dollars. Rugby is professional nowadays and even captains do not lash out their frustrations on the referee when interviewed by the media. There are fines against such actions because there are channels for dealing with grievances. If soccer guarantees referees’ protection through its rules than there would be no punching of referees in Fiji,” Bolabiu added.

Meanwhile, the Suva Magistrates Court has given a second chance to Suva soccer members Yogesh Narayan, Cedrick Dutt and Riaz Hussain to reconcile again with Kewal after they were charged three weeks ago.

The court ordered the trio to seek reconciliation before September 4.

Fijilive

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