Following a controversial moment in the Saracens vs Harlequins match of the Gallagher Premiership, where a potential act of foul play on Owen Farrell was not reviewed by the Television Match Official (TMO), various rugby authorities and commentators have responded. Progressive Rugby called for an urgent explanation regarding the decision to overlook the incident. The Professional Game Match Officials Team (PGMOT) expressed regret over the raised concerns about player safety and decision-making, emphasizing the importance of player welfare. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) issued a statement clarifying that the TMO, Stuart Terheege, had made a decision before the incident was raised by commentator Austin Healey on TNT Sports, describing the broadcast of the conversation as 'regrettable' and stating that TMOs do not actively listen or react to match commentary. Despite this, questions have been raised about why the TMO requested the incident to be clipped up by the director if he was satisfied with the on-field decision. The RFU's Match Officials Team apologized for the 'unusual and regrettable' incident, and the officiating body denied that TMO Stuart Terheege's decision was influenced by Healey.
RFU backs TMO after TV commentary ‘distracted’ him during Farrell decision https://t.co/QJ8mGtGjTB
The officiating body has denied that TMO Stuart Terheege’s decision not to review an incident further was influenced by co-commentator Austin Healey. https://t.co/F5phJtRICp
Massive can of words opened with this clumsy RFU statement but the burning question is… Why did the TMO request for the incident to be clipped up by the director if the RFU are saying he was happy with the on-field decision? https://t.co/6LGFfiW8Sc
The RFU's Match Officials Team apologized for the "unusual and regrettable" incident during Saracens vs Harlequins where the TMO appeared to ignore foul play. TMO Stuart Terheege was heard on TV opting not to show potential foul play, after it was noted by Austin Healey live. https://t.co/znJvUC2alz
Here is the full part of that section of the RFU statement ⬇️ https://t.co/IoaxWXAaOl https://t.co/X0Hab5myS6
📺 BREAKING: The RFU has issued a statement on the TMO confusion at the weekend. It says that the TMO has already made a decision before Austin raised the incident. The RFU says it was ‘regrettable’ the conversation was broadcast. However, “TMOs do not actively listen or react…
🚨 STATEMENT ON THE TMO AT SARACENS V HARLEQUINS 🚨 "The Professional Game Match Officials Team (PGMOT) regret that questions have been raised about player safety and decision-making. Match officials take player welfare incredibly seriously and it is their overriding priority.… https://t.co/EP5A9CKhVx
Aaaand the statement from MLS. https://t.co/XSjIDHhd7W
And here is the statement from PRO referees. https://t.co/WC9KerdJF4
📺 The Saracens-Harlequins TMO incident from the weekend will be addressed by the relevant authorities. #GallagherPrem 🗞️ Full story below. 👇 https://t.co/gS5Hd4vKYl
A potential act of foul play on Owen Farrell appeared to go unchecked by the TMO during the Saracens v Harlequins match in order to avoid the impression he had been influenced by the match commentary 👀 Austin Healy flagged the off the ball hit on Farrell on TNT Sports, however… https://t.co/O4b14GSdOe
💬 "An explanation should be sought as a matter of urgency." 🏉 @ProgressiveRug has responded to the decision to ignore foul play. #GallagherPrem https://t.co/A1KuuH973W