The all-star game, typically a non-event, turned into a thrilling contest this season when the score remained close deep into the 4th and both teams started playing seriously. So when Tommy Lee Bishop was called for a questionable shooting foul in the closing seconds, many were upset, especially when only 6 such fouls had been called all game to that point.
Whilst the crowd in attendance were mostly pro-Great 8, hence sparing referee Skint Faker a lynching, the greater ABBL fanbase were significantly less amused. "That was a right old fight on the hardwood and this Skint c*** just had to ruin it!" wrote one Quipper user in a quip that gained a lot of likes and requips before it's deletion for use of the word c***.
There have been no instances of ref bashing in the ABBL since season 51, but the union of referees has once again grown worried based on this fan response. They fear that another ref bashing may yet happen in the future, despite now having the bodyguards that they lobbied for after the playoff bashing of I.C Nothing.
Personally, I'm just glad the league hasn't stooped so low as to have video referees blow calls too, like that BS penalty at the end of last weeks Broncos-Roosters game. If you're not going to use the technology right, don't use it at all.