South African referees boss Andre Watson is in trouble after 24 officials voiced complaints against him.
According to an article in South Africa's Sunday Times, Watson faced a disciplinary hearing after the officials signed a list of grievances which included: verbal abuse, victimisation, Watson's abrasive management style and financial impropriety.
The newspaper reports that Watson's fallout with senior referee Rasta Rasivhenge that spurred the disenchanted officials into action.
It is alleged that Watson told Rasivhenge last year: “I'll f**k you up, I'll destroy you.”
Rasivhenge has since left South Africa to further his refereeing career in Australia.
He reportedly flew back to South Africa to attend Watson's disciplinary hearing, at which the 2011 World Cup Final referee Craig Joubert - who is rated as South Africa's top-ranked match official - also testified.
56-year-old Watson refereed a record number of finals in the Rugby World Cup (2), Currie Cup (7) and Super Rugby (5).
He has been the South African Rugby Union's Manager of Referees since 2011.
