RFU increases sanctions for match official abuse
The RFU has increased sanctions at all levels of the game for abuse of match officials.
This comes from the head of judiciary, Richard Whittam KC, and has been circulated to all clubs at every level and all Referee Societies nationwide.
Almost 50% of match officials surveyed by the RFU reported experiencing abuse, which has led to stricter punishments for offenders. The RFU has implemented aggravated sanctions that will extend suspensions by two, three, or four weeks, depending on the severity of the initial charge.
The level of offending is unacceptable and comes after high-profile officials Wayne Barnes and Tom Foley said that abuse on social media was a reason for them stepping away and after match official abuse accounted for 18% of all disciplinary cases last season, prompting calls for stricter measures.
Match official abuse is of considerable concern to the RFU. Rugby discipline can only maintain and promote fair play and protect the health and welfare of players with the support of match officials whose recruitment and retention is affected by the number of abuse instances
Of the match official abuse cases last season, the largest category of offences involved dissent. Surveys of match officials in 2022 and 2023 revealed that 49% of those responding stated they were abused in the previous season.
Club support for match officials
Many clubs seek to support the match officials who take charge of their matches and some create their own response to potential abuse.
Cheltenham North Rugby Club has created a ‘Protect our Refs’ orange card campaign where a referee can show an orange card to anyone displaying unacceptable behaviour or using unacceptable language or insults. The club has two information posters, one for referees and one for supporters, an orange card and a welcoming letter which they put in the referee’s changing room prior to the game.
They are doing this, says club Chair Paul Carter, who handled design and production free of charge, “to help us all retain the essential services of our referees.
“It came out of an away match for one of our teams where the referee abuse and foul language was appalling. We recognised that this was a problem which had been increasing over a few years and wanted to avoid it happening at our club. We introduced the orange cards towards the end of the year and the hope is they won’t have to be brandished but just knowing they exist will have an impact. Club officials now say something like ‘look out, you might get an orange card in a minute’ and it seems to have an effect.”
The initial suggestion came from one of the club’s ladies team players, Nathalie Downing, who says: “I thought it might lead the way for us as a club in terms of expectations and conduct and ensure that officials out there want to come back to Cheltenham North.”
Club President and Disciplinary Officer Paul Balmer says concern for dwindling referee numbers “seriously affects whether games can go ahead, and this orange card initiative is our attempt to show our support for referees at Stoke Road.
“Any unacceptable behaviour, language or insults at Cheltenham North RFC can be met by a referee showing an orange card alerting club officials who will take action, ask offenders to move to the clubhouse area behind the barriers where we expect our home supporters to explain that such discourteous behaviour towards referees is not acceptable at Cheltenham North.
“In the unlikely event of repetition or continuation another orange card will result in the offender being asked to leave the ground. This initiative applies to all bystanders, spectators, coaches, and replacement players, and is our attempt to show complete support for referees at all levels and age grades. To us, the Referee is the sole arbiter of fact on the field, and we totally appreciate their efforts in ensuring that the game we all love can actually take place.”
Welcoming and inclusive environments
The RFU Match Official Development Manager, Michael Patz, has welcomed the increased sanctions and says: “We want rugby clubs to be welcoming and inclusive environments and will work with clubs and Constituent Bodies to help ensure that they are and to find solutions. It is great to see CBs like North Midlands sending advice and warning that sanctions can be imposed and clubs supporting and welcoming match officials. It’s also good to be able to work across the game on how we can best address issues.”
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