WATCH: Antoine Dupont monsters his way to game-saving Sevens try for France
France was down a player and trailed by seven points, before Dupont showed his class - creating a try from his sheer strength and…
Rugby World Cup final referee Wayne Barnes has labelled social media abuse towards him and his family as “vile” and called for the trolls to be held to account.
The 44-year-old English official’s last match was one of his most challenging, and included a first-ever red card in a men’s World Cup final to New Zealand captain Sam Cane during South Africa’s 12-11 victory in Paris.
It was among a number of contentious decisions by match officials in the decider.
Barnes announced his retirement five days later having taken charge of a record 111 Tests.
“When people make threats against your wife and kids, they should be held to account and punished,” Barnes said in an interview with BBC Sport.
“Threats of sexual violence, threats of saying we know where you live. It crosses that line.”
Barnes feels maintaining a social media presence was important for him to promote charitable work and also to explain officiating decisions, but accepted with that “comes the ability for people to send messages of hate and violence”.
He said: “If you’re a fan at your local rugby club and you’re sending vile messages to people’s families and making threats, why should you be able to be involved in the rugby family?
“I want prosecuting agencies to consider ways of doing that (tackling online abuse).
“I want legislation of what social media sites can do to prevent it and I also want governing bodies to consider what they can do.”
© AAP
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
France was down a player and trailed by seven points, before Dupont showed his class - creating a try from his sheer strength and…
Gilbert Enoka, the bare-footed New Zealander who reinvigorated the All Blacks, has emerged as Michael Maguire's secret weapon for the Blues' mission to reclaim…
After 15 rounds of thrilling rugby, it all comes down to this final three weeks. Knockout rugby sees the best rise to the top,…
A 28-year-old man has claimed he was grabbed around the throat and left with a cut above his eye after an incident involving Sale…
The Brumbies No.9 thought he copped a raw deal after Jordan Way sent him to the bin in the first half.
Congrats to Michael Wells after over 100 Super Rugby games. The Force forward retired with the conclusion of their season.