Latin Heat call for help for Juan Jasso
Australian rugby league club Latin Heat have requested that Juan Jasso, a former US serviceman who lives in Manchester, be the referee for the first rugby league tournament in Latin America in November.
Jasso made worldwide headlines in June, when he was racially abused on a tram in Manchester in the wake of the Brexit vote.
The rugby league player has lived in Manchester for 18 years, but some lowlifes told him to “Get back to Africa!” on the day in question.
Of Mexican heritage, Jasso coached the first all-Latino team to play competitive rugby league in the USA.
He has also coached at clubs in the UK, including Championship outfit London Broncos.
Now, the Heat want him to ref at the tournament, which will be held on November 12-13, and will be contested by teams from Argentina, Brazil and Chile. His appointment has been ratified by the RLIF.
Jasso needs funds in order to travel, though, and the Heat have launched a funding campaign to help raise the cash needed.
A Heat statement reads:
“With his outstanding knowledge of the game and his Spanish language skills, he will be the perfect individual for the occasion.
“The Rugby League International Federation has approved Juan’s appointment to the tournament, but due to a lack of funding for developing nations, his flights will come down to personal expense.
“As Juan has a young daughter to care for and is not endowed with finances, we at Latin Heat Rugby League are raising the sum to ensure he can grab this opportunity.
“Let us show him the true heart of the community.”