“We are never perfect,” confides the France-South Africa referee in the middle of a storm

2023-10-18 15:29:45

By the editorial staff

Published 32 minutes ago, Updated 28 minutes ago

Ben O’Keeffe during the France-South Africa quarter-final. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP

New Zealander Ben O’Keeffe is the target of violent criticism after his refereeing during the quarter-final lost by the Blues against the Boks.

New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe is at the heart of the storm. The decisions he made on Sunday during the quarter-final lost by France against South Africa (28-29) are controversial. The French captain Antoine Dupont declared directly. “Even if I don’t want to be bitter after a defeat, it must be recognized that the refereeing was not up to the task of such an event, he snapped in the amphitheater of the Stade de France. There are decisions that may surprise you. But this observation in no way detracts from the merits of our opponent who played a superb match, we must congratulate him for that.»

A video counting all of Ben O’Keeffe’s mistakes has just been published on Youtube (see below). And the observation is staggering since 18 penalties against the Springboks were not called. Worse, two yellow cards and one red were forgotten. The proof in pictures. The man with the whistle spoke on New Zealand television about this episode and the cyberharassment of which he has since been the victim on social networks.

“It’s obviously a very emotional time (for the XV of France), declared Ben O’Keeffe at the microphone of Newshub. I just try to respect that and give them time. Players and coaches are going to say things whether you win or lose. I know we are never perfect as referees, you definitely make mistakes in the game. The players have the right to comment on that after the match.

And to add: “I’m sure everything is fine. We did my debriefing (from World Rugby, with his three New Zealand assistants, too) and we will try to talk about it again (with the Blues) and get things back on track. But I understand their feeling after a big match like that. »

France – South Africa: the most beautiful images

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