Hands off: Moses under fire for referee mistreatment

Parramatta captain Mitchell Moses has come under fire for his treatment of referees in the Eels Easter Monday loss.

Moses repeatedly confronted match officials in the Eels’ golden point loss, including touching head referee Peter Gough on multiple occasions.

The Eels went down 22-20 against the Wests Tigers in a thrilling clash, with Tigers’ half Jock Madden sealing the match with a penalty conversion in extra time.

Moses faced no charge by the NRL for the interactions, however, was issued a warning letter by the NRL.

The NRL holds a strict "no contact" stance between players and match officials, regardless of the intent behind the interaction.

The match had several high-pressure moments and calls, with Moses seen debating with Gough on numerous occasions, including on the stroke of half-time where the Eels were denied a captain’s challenge after it was deemed prop Jack Williams knocked the ball on metres short of the try line.

On another occasion, Gough penalised Eels’ centre Sean Russell for a high tackle in a collision which saw Russell knocked unconscious.

Despite the impact being a head clash, Gough deemed Russell had raced out recklessly, thus committing a penalisable offence; a decision Moses debated again, tapping Gough on the arm after the discussion.

However, commentator Andrew Voss, who called the Easter Monday contest, called out Moses over the interactions, believing action should be taken by the NRL.

“Mitchell Moses, touchy-feely yesterday with a referee… I don't care what it is, a tap, hands off,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Mornings.

“There is absolutely zero reason to touch the referee.

“If Mitchell Moses appeared on the charge sheet today, I would not have a problem with that.

“I wouldn't have had a problem, if the league said, ‘Mitchell, here's a fine’, stop it, just don't do it.

“There is no reason for any player in any circumstance to touch the referee.

“I don't know what the count was, be it just a pat, a, a hand; no… (you) don't need to get there.

“That's advice for Mitchell, a player that I love watching, love calling, don't mind him as a bloke, but I'm just telling you, Mitchell, and I'd say it to any player, any player at any form of the game, in any sport, you have no business touching an official in any way.

“I think the best way to stop it, and Mitchell, sorry mate, but you get a fine today from the NRL. Not for one but probably for at least 4 or 5 times (that) the referee was touched.”

The Eels will be without winger Bailey Simonsson, centre Sean Russell, and potentially five-eighth Jonah Pezet for their Round 6 clash with the Gold Coast Titans, with the three players suffering a dislocated ankle, concussion, and hamstring injury respectively.