NSW Police forced to apologise over Facebook meme

New South Wales Police have apologised for a ‘lighthearted’ State of Origin meme posted through the force’s Facebook page mocking a referee.

The force made an apology on Monday for a meme posted during the NRL’s marquee series between NSW and Queensland. 

The photoshopped image showed head referee Matt Cecchin wearing a Maroons jersey while sending a Blues player to the sin bin. 

NSW famously blew a 1-0 series advantage and a strong first-half display in game two to hand another series to their bitter rivals.

‘NSW Police uncover QLD’s plan to replace Johnathan Thurston in game three,’ the cheeky post read.

The photoshopped image showed head referee Matt Cecchin wearing a Maroons jersey while sending a Blues player to the sin bin

NSW Police have publicly apologised to NRL referee Matt Cecchin for a 'lighthearted' Facebook post at his expense

NSW Police have publicly apologised to NRL referee Matt Cecchin for a ‘lighthearted’ Facebook post at his expense

New South Wales Police have apologised for a 'lighthearted' State of Origin meme posted through the force's Facebook page mocking a referee

New South Wales Police have apologised for a ‘lighthearted’ State of Origin meme posted through the force’s Facebook page mocking a referee

Despite consistent banter between police forces, politicians, athletes and fans, NSW Police took to their Facebook page to apologise to the referee.

‘In the lead up to Game 3 of the 2017 State of Origin, the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) posted on the NSWPF Facebook page a meme featuring a photograph of State of Origin referee, Matt Cecchin, with Mr Cecchin pictured wearing a Queensland jersey. The NSWPF has since removed this post from the NSWPF Facebook page,’ the apology reads.

‘The NSWPF wishes to make clear it did not intend to make any serious assertion that Mr Cecchin was biased as a referee and only intended for the meme to be a lighthearted joke.’

Despite consistent banter between police forces, politicians, athletes and fans, NSW Police took to their Facebook page to apologise to the referee

Despite consistent banter between police forces, politicians, athletes and fans, NSW Police took to their Facebook page to apologise to the referee

In 2015, New South Wales Premier Mike Baird lost a bet to his Queensland counterpart Annastacia Palaszczuk meaning he would have to wear a Maroons jersey in Parliament.

Despite the playful fun, NSW Police decided they needed to apologise for the post. 

‘The NSWPF acknowledges that, in posting the meme, Mr Cecchin has suffered hurt and damage to his reputation. The NSWPF wishes to make clear it does not think Mr Cecchin is biased as a referee and withdraws any such suggestion unreservedly,’ the apology continues.

‘The NSWPF apologises to Mr Cecchin for any hurt or damage caused.’

The reaction to the statement was predictable, with fans surprised with the public apology and decrying its ‘political correctness’.

‘Fair dinkum. People need to lighten up,’ one person commented on the NSW Police Facebook post.

‘This post is a bigger joke than the original meme!!’ another said.            

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk