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Phil Gould lets rip at NRL over 'obscene' Kasey Badger call amid concerns around Souths games

Badger has been banned from officiating any games involving Souths.

adam lucius
Contributor
·2-min read

Canterbury boss Phil Gould may be headed for another showdown with the NRL after calling the decision to remove referee Kasey Badger from South Sydney games "obscene, rude and childish" in the wake of conflict of interest accusations. NRL Head of Football Graham Annesley this week announced Badger would not be appointed to Rabbitohs game in the future because her husband – former whistleblower Gavin Badger – is on the staff at Souths.

It comes after Gavin was spotted in the Bunnies' coaching box during last Saturday's clash with Cronulla while Kasey was in charge of the bunker. Gavin has been Souths' referees consultant for two years, working a day a week at the club and assisting the coach on game days.

Phil Gould has been left incensed by the NRL's decision to ban Kasey Badger from officiating South Sydney games. Pic: Getty
Phil Gould has been left incensed by the NRL's decision to ban Kasey Badger from officiating South Sydney games. Pic: Getty

"It won’t happen again," Annesley said in announcing Kasey's removal from Rabbitohs games. "We do not question Kasey’s objectivity or professionalism but we acknowledge it’s not a good look.

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Gould was incensed by the decision. Speaking on the Six Tackles with Gus podcast, he said: "So what are you saying? She's going to show them favouritism (because her husband works for the club). How ridiculous. I find that rude.

"I find that obscene and I find anyone who complained about that childish. And why the league would react to it, I don't know. You wouldn’t find a more honest person than Kasey. I just found that irritating to be honest.

"I found it absolutely wrong that all of a sudden, someone had to make a statement (on) why Kasey Badger was being a bunker official or a referee or a linesperson in a game where her husband is working for a club. What's it matter? The very basis of being a referee is impartiality, so why are we questioning that? If anyone else questioned the impartiality of a referee, what would happen?"

Kasey Badger has been banned from officiating Rabbitohs games after it came to light that her husband Gavin Badger is employed by Souths. Image: Getty/Fox League/Getty
Kasey Badger has been banned from officiating Rabbitohs games after it came to light that her husband Gavin Badger is employed by Souths. Image: Getty/Fox League/Getty

When podcast host Danika Mason suggested they'd be fined, Gus declared: "100 per cent. So why would they react like that to such a situation, purely (based on) perception, purely to please someone complaining on social media. It doesn’t wash with me."

In May, the NRL fined Gould $20,000 for questioning rugby league's officiating. CEO Andrew Abdo said at the time: "Destructive attacks on the game will not be tolerated." Gould sought legal advice and successfully defended the fine, with the breach notice to stay but the $20,000 penalty suspended for 12 months. This latest podcast outburst may see the Dogs boss back in hot water.