Fan charged after punching referee at reserve grade Grand Final

A fan has been charged with assault by police after running onto the field and attacking an official at an Australian rugby league reserve grade Grand Final.

The Courier-Mail reported that the man threw a punch at the referee, following Tugun Seahawks’ loss in the Gold Coast league final 30-28 in extra time to Currumbin Eagles.

The man was wearing a Seahawks shirt, and was able to get close enough to the official before being surrounded by police and pinned to the ground. The perpetrator was then seen to be escorted from the Cbus Super Stadium.

The man will appear in Southport Magistrates Court on November 1 facing a charge of common assault.

“Unfortunately, he was able to reach the match official and allegedly land a glancing blow before he was restrained by officers and escorted from the field,” Gold Coast police acting chief superintendent Rhys Wildman said.

It is the latest assault in a string of offences against officials on the field – just last month, referee Joe Stearne was subject to assault on the field in a National League Conference game in the UK which resulted in a lifetime ban for the attacker.

GF footy 😬

Ref just got king hit. pic.twitter.com/DcymaktHeB

— Dominique Loudon (@DominiqueLoudon) October 16, 2021