Soccer: Ref's tongue earns a citing

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Parramatta Power general manager Brad Levy yesterday confirmed that his club has reported Auckland referee Derek Rugg to Soccer Australia's referee boss Gary Power.

The Sydney club's action has been endorsed by the players' union. It follows an incident during last Friday's National Soccer League game between Parramatta and Canberra Cosmos in which it was alleged that Rugg "swore at a player."

"There is no room for abuse either by or at officials in any match. But if a referee uses expletives then there have to be concerns," Levy said. "If there are incidents like this we have a responsibility to bring it to the attention of the appropriate officials."

He said the citing was not a case of sour grapes following the team's 2-3 loss.

"We have been beaten many times, but we have not taken this kind of action before."

In two matches this season Rugg has booked 13 players - six in the game between the Football Kingz and Eastern Pride, and seven on Friday.

In 1995, there was a complaint by a visiting coach about Rugg's language in a match between Auckland and Brisbane, but no official action was taken. Soccer New Zealand has advised Rugg not to comment.