"Are you f**king serious?" - Kyle Sinckler asks referee

January 10, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

During Bristol Bears’ hard-fought victory over reigning champs Exeter Chiefs, Bristol prop Kyle Sinckler ruffled feathers with a foul-mouthed address to referee Karl Dickson.

The incident occurred after Sinckler was laid low by a dangerous tackle challenge from Exeter hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie who dived headfirst at Sinckler’s legs to bring him down.

An angry Sinckler was then heard to address Dickson with a “Are you f**king serious?” comment.

Dickson promptly reprimanded Sinckler, telling him his language was unacceptable but no further action was taken.

Many fans who witnessed the incident are understandably put out by Sinckler’s behaviour, as the England international muddied the waters of the age-old rugby code of players showing the upmost respect to the referee at all times.

Rugby journalist Neil Fissler tweeted:

“How does Kyle Sinckler swear at the referee and get away with it. Hardly in keeping with so-called core values.”

How does Kyle Sinckler swear at the referee and get away with it. Hardly in keeping with so called core values.
— Neil Fissler (@neilfissler) January 9, 2021

Former England and British & Irish Lions hooker Brian Moore, who was known never to mince his words, replied to a tweet by David Flatman, noting:

“I never swore at the referee.”

Do you think professional players need more sympathy when it comes to swearing at refs? https://t.co/i7dv4evIBe
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) January 9, 2021

Many other fans expressed took to Twitter to express their opinions on the incident:

I'm a big fan of Karl Dickson but he should have binned Sinckler for screaming at him like that. Failing that, the pen should be reversed.
— Bodders (@IscaBodders) January 9, 2021

Very disappointed in Kyle Sinckler’s reaction to ref. Not condoning the swearing , but walking away from ref and shaking head shows complete lack of respect, not listening. Quite petulant.
— Murray Watson (@mdwats) January 9, 2021

To be honest, this is unacceptable:
Kyle Sinckler to referee Karl Dickson, “are you f*cking serious”
You have to be at minimum binned for that.
— Angus Savage (@AngusSavageXV) January 9, 2021

Last week Jono Ross gets a yellow for a hair ruffle from carl Dickson, this week Sinckler yells “are you fucking serious” at him and gets a telling off. Consistency.
— Lexxity🐝💙🖤🏉🦈 (@Lexxity) January 9, 2021