The NRL and the AFL have more than a failing
judiciary system in common – they share an obsession with crushing criticism of
referees and umpires respectively. And if the Dragons’ Nathan Brown, or the Roosters’ Ricky
Stuart, think they are hard done by with the penalties the NRL hands out, they
should have a look at what AFL coach, Grant Thomas,
faces.

Grant Thomas earlier this week said the AFL was pathetic
for fining coaches who criticised umpires and accused umpires (without being
specific) of being egocentric and too prominent. And the response from the AFL CEO, Andrew Demetriou, has
been even more pathetic:

“We won’t be tolerating any criticism of umpires…the
outburst was particularly poor and unacceptable, it was demeaning to umpires and
not necessary…”

But it’s exactly the same response we get from the NRL
CEO, David Gallop. And Grant Thomas faces a fine, being hauled before the AFL
Tribunal, or even suspension!

We can all attack the Prime Minister, the Premier, the
Leader of the Opposition, the local Mayor, or just about anyone else we like
with reasonable immunity. But if we are a league or AFL coach, official or
player, we are precluded from criticising in public referees, umpires, video
referees, or even the judiciary/tribunal.

Read more on the site here.