Carl Spannenberg, a leading referee from South Africa, will this week return home from New Zealand after officiating at a Super 12 match under a cloud of controversy according to the website www.planet-rugby.com. Apparently it has come to light that Spannenberg has spent a night in jail on a charge of "driving under the influence of alcohol".

It is alleged that Spannenberg spend the night in jail before taking charge of a Vodacom Cup Super Eight match - when the Boland Cavaliers played against the South Western District Eagles the very next day, on April 27th, this year.

The charge against him related to an incident more than a week ago, just before he departed to New Zealand. It is believed that Spannenberg will be hauled before the South African Rugby Football Union hierarchy to "discuss" the incident. However, it has been reported as "fact" that Spannenberg spent the night in jail, before taking charge of an important provincial match the next day.

This column along with the players always felt that more referees should be locked up!