English rugby’s governing body take swift action against the so-called ‘fans’.
The RFU have banned two people from Twickenham for two years for homophobic abuse of referee Nigel Owens during the game between England and New Zealand on November 8th. The ban follows an investigation by the governing body, who also ruled both guilty parties should pay £1,000 each to a charity of Owen’s choice.
‘Following the RFU’s investigations into the allegation of homophobic abuse aimed at referee Nigel Owens at the QBE International against New Zealand, two people have received a ban from all matches at Twickenham Stadium for a period of two years,’ the RFU statement read. ‘In addition, they will pay £1,000 each to a charity of Nigel Owens’ choice. There is a second investigation still ongoing’.
Ian Ritchie, the CEO of the governing body, added: ‘While instances of this nature are exceptionally rare, the RFU takes rugby’s values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship very seriously, and is determined to uphold them. We are all guardians of these aspects of the game, on and off the pitch, and it is these values which make the sport special’.
Nigel Owens is the first first openly-gay man to officiate at the highest level of the game and has spoken in the past about the trials of such. ‘Sometimes you think ‘do I really need this? Do I really need to do this job?’. It does get you down and I honestly think sometimes like saying “enough is enough” but you’ve got to just get up and get on with it. Unfortunately you get some people who get to the stadium, who get drunk and who probably haven’t even watched the game of rugby, they are just there to get drunk and shout abuse, but they are in the minority’.
The RFU are currently holding a separate investigation into another incident of alleged homophobic abuse at Twickenham during England’s loss to the All-Blacks.
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