Beloved rugby league referee Matt Cecchin is officially retiring after 20 years, citing a loss of confidence and increased public scrutiny.

Mark Levy and Brad Fittler, as well as many Wide Wide of Sports listeners, begged the whistleblower to stay, but Mr Cecchin refused.

“They’ll start calling me Johnny Farnham if I keep leaving and coming back, so this time it’s a done deal.”

While the decision was cemented by a 50-50 call against the Cronulla Sharks, he explained his retirement has been planned for months.

“When I was younger, I’d make a call like that and brush it off; now … I’m wide awake at four in the morning still mulling it over in my head.

“I feel bad with all the stuff-ups I make now.”

He admitted the adoption of Bunker technology has been a double-edged sword, increasing his hesitation when making decisions based on multiple replays.

“Once I see two or three different camera angles, I often come up with two or three different decisions.”

Press PLAY below to hear the veteran’s reflections on modern NRL refereeing 

Image: NRL/Official website