NRL investigating Roosters powerbrokers Nick Politis, Mark Bouris over Las Vegas incident

Roosters boss Nick Politis is reportedly being investigated by the NRL integrity unit about an incident that took place in Las Vegas last weekend.

Politis, as well as Director Mark Bouris, allegedly abused a senior referee at the Nines tournament, reports The Sydney Morning Herald. 

Referee Mitch James, 35, says he was approached by Politis and Bouris following the pool match between the LA Roosters and Brisbane veterans on Friday.

In a statement, James explained the situation and also revealed he was removed from his touchline assignment for the Greece vs USA game to be played later that day.

‘Mr Mark Bouris and Mr Nick Politis confronted me.’ he wrote. 

‘Mr. Bouris stated, “I’ve seen a lot of football and that was a disgrace! You reffed us out of the game.”

Roosters chairman Nick Politis (pictured) is reportedly under investigation over an incident with a referee in Las Vegas

Mark Bouris, who is also alleged to have abused the official, said neither he nor Politis were hostile

Mitch James (pictured) says he was approached by Politis and Bouris following the pool match between the LA Roosters and Brisbane Veterans

‘I responded, “And all your advice has been good too, has it, Mark?” Following this, Mr. Politis began making additional remarks, at which point the ground manager intervened and ushered me away from the situation.’

Bouris has confirmed that an incident happened post-match, but says neither he nor Politis were hostile. 

‘We were not in his face, I made sure we stayed our distance. We were not threatening, and we didn’t abuse him and didn’t swear,’ he said.

‘We did go over and I did say that I had seen a lot of football and that refereeing was disgraceful. Nick said something similar. I do not believe I said to him he ‘reffed us out of the game’. Maybe someone else said that.

‘He may have filed a formal complaint against us, but we filed one against him at the tournament because of the poor standard of refereeing.’

James told the Herald that he was complaining because he’s fed up with the alleged abuse that referees endure. 

‘I am a simple bloke from Dapto, but I am not copping that from anyone,’ James said.

‘This is not about me, it’s about what we put up with every single weekend from spectators who don’t like our decisions.

‘I’ve got nothing to gain or lose out of this. What I am saying is, week in and week out, because of the position I am in running the referees for the whole of the Illawarra, I know these incidents are not isolated to Las Vegas.’

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Roosters for comment.