Referee at centre of Mack Hansen row set to hang up his whistle

Chris Busby is set to retire from refereeing less than a month after Mack Hansen criticised his performance.

By: irishmirror.ie

Jan 10 2025
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Referee at centre of Mack Hans

Chris Busby, the ref at the centre of the Mack Hansen controversy, is set to retire from officiating.

The Ulsterman, who played for Ballyclare, before taking up reffing five years ago, is set to step away with immediate effect, personal reasons at the core of his decision.

However, it is hard to believe the furore around the Hansen situation did not have some influence on the timing of his decision.

Last month Hansen criticised the decisions Busby made during Connacht’s defeat to Leinster.

As a result the winger received a three-week ban yesterday by the URC.

The IRFU then issued a statement, saying: “A core pillar underpinning the game of rugby in Ireland is around respect for all.

“Without match officials there is no game, and the IRFU is committed to delivering an inclusive game for all.”

Busby has risen through the ranks and refereed two top level matches in 2024, Wales against South Africa and Scotland against Australia.

Seen as a rising star in officiating, this is a major blow to rugby’s precious image, as the game likes to promote itself as being better than other sports when it comes to respect for refs.

Former Ireland player, Rob Kearney, backed up Busby, saying: “You cannot completely put a muzzle on players and just not allow them to voice their opinions because they are a key part of the game.

“Without players there is no game.

“But I do think players have a responsibility to protect the game and to ensure that there is a game in five, ten, 15 years time.

“And listen rugby is a great game. I love rugby. It is what I did my whole life. The values of rugby are very, very strong.

“And it is one of the reasons why lots of kids play the game because they think the values of the game are so strong, in terms of team work, camaraderie, respect for officials and the referee, and everything that goes with that.

“If we start discouraging people from wanting to become referees then that issue is only going to get bigger. There are arguments for and against both sides.”

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