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Ashley Klein Dropped for NRL Prelims as Wahs-Knights Bunker Fallout Continues
The league said a missed escort penalty could have sent the match to extra time and is reviewing officials after fans threw bottles and cans.
- On Monday, the NRL confirmed referee Ashley Klein will miss the preliminary finals after admitting he wrongly denied the New Zealand Warriors a critical late penalty during Sunday's 12-10 semifinal loss to the Newcastle Knights.
- In the final minute at Eden Park, Newcastle prop Tyson Frizell escorted Warriors centre Leka Halasima off the ball, a contact that would have warranted a penalty goal allowing the home side to tie the match at 12-12.
- Following the match, fans threw bottles and rubbish at Klein as he left the field, behavior Warriors great Shaun Johnson labeled 'embarrassing.' The NRL has since threatened bans for supporters identified in the incident.
- Grant Atkins or Gerard Sutton are expected to replace Klein for the preliminary finals, while the veteran official has been relegated to bunker duties for Friday's match between the Dolphins and Roosters.
- Despite the high-profile dumping, Penrith Panthers captain Isaah Yeo described the relegation as 'pretty harsh,' noting that Klein, who has refereed 34 finals matches, typically allows games to flow well.
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Sydney Morning Herald+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
It was one bad call, but the NRL had no option other than to drop Klein. Here’s why
The fact Ashley Klein’s decision had a direct impact on the final result meant he was always going to be axed for this weekend’s preliminary finals.
·North Sydney, Australia
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NRL drops referee from preliminary finals following Warriors controversy
Leading official Ashley Klein has been sensationally dropped from refereeing duties for this weekend’s NRL preliminary finals following a series of contentious late decisions during the New Zealand Warriors’ season-ending defeat. The experienced whistle-blower will have no on-field role in either Grand Final qualifier as the governing body opts to overhaul its officiating team for […]
Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left6Leaning Right2Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 33%
R 17%
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