Four NRL refs in swine flu quarantine
Not even swine flu can save NRL referee Matt Cecchin.
Four match officials have been placed in a five-day quarantine after they were exposed to the H1N1 virus on a flight to Canberra last weekend.
They have been replaced for round 12 games this weekend - but not by Cecchin, who awarded the controversial penalty which cost Manly victory on the Gold Coast last Sunday and was not appointed to a first grade game this weekend.
Jared Maxwell also can't take a trick. He is among the four just days after being crash-tackled by a pitch invader at Campbelltown.
Maxwell joins referee Bernard Sutton and touch judges Jeff Younis and Ricky McFarlane in being advised by the ACT and NSW health departments that a fellow passenger on the flight had tested positive to the virus.
The four, who officiated at the Canberra versus Warriors match on Sunday, were told to remain in quarantine until at least seven days after the exposure.
Referees coach Robert Finch has adjusted the round's refereeing appointments.
NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said the league was following all directions issued by health authorities.
"We are confident that no other players or officials were on the flight and we have been advised that there is no need to take any further measure beyond quarantining the four officials involved," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
"The authorities have assured us that we do not need to look at any quarantine issues in regard to the remainder of the refereeing squad or anyone else the referees have come into contact with after the flight, unless of course those people begin to display any flu-like symptoms.
"Like everyone we are closely monitoring all government advisories in regard to the H1N1 virus.
"Ultimately this is not something that we can build detailed contingency plans around beyond working closely with the relevant authorities."
Maxwell and Sutton have been replaced in the St George Illawarra versus Penrith match by Jason Robinson and Steve Lyons, who will each control two matches this weekend.
McFarlane was scheduled to officiate in the Toyota Cup match between South Sydney and Canberra and is being replaced by Brendan Wood.
Jeff Younis is scheduled for next Wednesday's State of Origin match in Melbourne and will, provided he exhibits no symptoms after the quarantine period, still officiate in that game.
"We have been assured by the department of health that there is no need to prevent him from taking on that duty if he remains free of all symptoms," Annesley said.
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