Referee Ben O'Keeffe has revealed the extent of abuse he's received after presiding over the Super Rugby Pacific final between the Crusaders and the Chiefs.
O'Keeffe, assistants Angus Gardner and Nic Berry, and TV official Brendon Pickerill were heavily involved in the match, dishing out three yellow cards to the Chiefs, who were on the wrong end of a lopsided 15-8 penalty count.
The most significant of those cards was shown to Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane, who was forced to leave the field with just nine minutes remaining and his side under immense pressure, as they clung to a slim advantage.
Hooker Codie Taylor scored from the ensuing penalty to put the Crusaders in front - a lead they ultimately protected to secure their seventh Super Rugby crown in as many years.
During the post-match presentation ceremony, O'Keeffe and his colleagues were heavily booed, as they went to the stage to receive their medals.
O'Keeffe has taken to social media to express his disappointment over the "sad reality" faced, not just by rugby referees, but by officials of all sports.
"Abuse in any form is never okay," he posted on Instagram. "Unfortunately, as a union referee at the highest level, I have had to accept and grow accustomed to the post-match vitriol that fans normalise post game.
"It’s a sad reality that it doesn’t affect me anymore, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK."
He points to the attack on Europa League final referee Anthony Taylor by a mob of enraged Roma fans earlier this month as an example of just how grave the situation has become - a low he believes many rugby fans are trending towards.
"I think back to the Europa League Final referee walking through the airport and his family getting chairs thrown at them," he added. "I hope my family is never subjected to this, but the direction some fans are going now in rugby, I know we are closer than we have ever been.
"This is one of many recent examples when someone has crossed the line towards a match official in rugby."
In his post, O'Keefe includes a montage of some of the horrendous abuse directed towards him from enraged Chiefs fans, which includes death threats.
Among the scathing messages were: "You're dead c*nt", "Gonna slit your throat", and "I hope you get cancer".
After the game, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan identified what appeared a clear forward pass during the build-up to the Crusaders' second try as a "momentum swinger" that cost his side dearly.
"Referees are part of the game, and we need support from players and coaches to have the tough conversations privately, but to publicly back and support their officials - not criticise," O'Keeffe continued. "This will change the way the fans treat us.
"Abuse is out there and for anyone going through it right now in any form, please understand there is support there, people do love you, there is help available and if all else fails, send me a message and I would be happy to talk with you."
O'Keeffe is one of New Zealand's premier referees and will join compatriot Paul Williams as part of the 12-man panel to control games at the upcoming World Cup in France.
NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson has voiced his support for O'Keeffe's stance, describing him as "hugely respected" and an "outstanding match official".
"New Zealand Rugby firmly stands behind Ben and all referees who are involved in our game," Robinson said. "Ben is a hugely respected member of our rugby community and an outstanding match official."
"Referees play an integral part in our sport at all levels, and I want to echo Ben's comments and make it very clear, that there is no place in our sport for abuse.
"I encourage everyone in the rugby community to play an active role in standing up for abuse and behaviour that goes against the values of the game."
O'Keeffe is next scheduled to referee when the Springboks host the Wallabies at Pretoria on Sunday July 9 (NZ time).
