27 Sep 2012

NFL referee lockout likely to stay

7:14 am on 27 September 2012

President Barack Obama is the latest to weigh in on the issue transfixing America, the use of replacement referees in the National Football League which resulted in a controversial finish between Seattle and Green Bay.

The referees made an incorrect call on the final play of the game which gave Seattle the win.

The NFL is using replacement referees from the lower ranks of college and semi-professional football during a lockout of regular officials caused by a dispute over a new contract.

The standard of the refereeing has been the main talking point three weeks into the season with many calling it a joke.

President Obama says the call was terrible and that they've got to get the regular refs back.

Coaches have been fined for the comments about the stand-in referees.