sport news NRL adamant abuse aimed at Kasey Badger 'isn't a gender issue' - as ref escapes ... trends now

The NRL insists the vitriol aimed at Kasey Badger from Wests Tigers players 'isn't a gender issue' - as the under fire referee was spared the axe following the controversial finish to Bulldogs versus Tigers match last Saturday.

Badger sin-binned Tigers forwards David Klemmer (dissent) and Alex Seyfarth (headbutt) late in the contest during last Saturday's spiteful clash with the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.

Benji Marshall's team also saw three decisions overturned via captain's challenges - and halfback Aidan Sezer avoided a 10 minute spell following a dangerous tackle, and was later handed a four-game ban from the NRL match review committee for grade-three dangerous contact.

That led to torrents of abuse being levelled her way, with many calling for her to be stood down. 

The NRL has confirmed she will be spared the axe, naming Badger to officiate the Sydney Roosters v New Zealand Warriors match at Allianz Stadium on Sunday. 

It has since been revealed Badger frequently deactivates her social media accounts in a bid to avoid abuse from fired up fans online.

NRL great Billy Slater has leapt to Badger's defence, with the Queensland Origin coach calling for the keyboard warriors who attacked the rookie referee to jump in and officiate games themselves.

'If you think you can do a better job, go and do it, go and put your hand up to be a referee, don't go on social media and be a coward and abuse someone,' he said on The Billy Slater Podcast.

'If you think you can do better than the person that you're having a go at, go and put the boots on, grab a whistle, or if you're having a go at a player go and play the game, you've got no right to abuse someone anyway.

'I

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