Rugby league referee Matt Cecchin plans to quit the sport, after receiving hundreds of death threats for his part in Tonga's controversial semi-final defeat at last year's World Cup.
The Australian official will preside over his 300th NRL game this weekend, when he oversees Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders, but he's told the Sydney Morning Herald he won't stick around for too many more.
"I'm done," he said. "I don't like attention as a referee.
"I want to do my job without any fuss and then leave. The reality is that after that game and for the first chunk of this year, with all the noise that's been out there, it's been tough.
"Really, really tough."
Cecchin's troubles began last November, when he made the call that Tongan fans blame for their 20-18 loss to England at Mt Smart Stadium. Forward Andrew Fafita lost the ball just a few metres short of the try-line - Cecchin called a knock-on without video review, others saw it as a strip.
Later that night, Cecchin received a call from NZ Police, warning him of death threats against him and his family.
"Don't leave the hotel," he was told. "We will pick you up and take you to the airport.
"Back in Australia, you'll be picked up by the Australian Federal Police."
Cecchin told the Sydney Morning Herald: "I started thumbing through my phone and there were more than a thousand messages.
"They were vile. I've never had that before in my whole career, even after Origins and Grand Finals.
"Imagine if I got the call wrong?"
But Cecchin has also borne the brunt of an NRL season where referees have been under attack every week - caught between disgruntled coaches, players and fans, and pressure from above to call games a certain way.
More to come
