A rugby fan in Brisbane has been convicted for abusing World Cup match officials on Facebook in a landmark case hailed by World Rugby.
Aaron Isaia, a 22-year-old youth worker, who was born in New Zealand, was convicted by Australian authorities of one count of using a carriage service to menace or harass via online communication, after pleading guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court.
Described as a “devout Christian and youth worker” Isaia used social media to abuse TMO Brian MacNeice, his wife and children after an incident in England’s World Cup win over Samoa.
Officials were criticised after Samoa were denied a third try in the first half for a knock-on. England won 18-17.
Television Match Official Brian MacNeice poses for a portrait during the Match Officials Photocall on September 02, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Chris Lee – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Isaia, who was given a $1000 fine suspended for 12 months, was identified through a World Rugby initiative with Signify Group. He was caught by a service called Threat Matrix, with World Rugby saying they will be monitoring online abuse of match officials and their families over the next three years.
Alan Gilpin, World Rugby’s chief executive, said in a statement: “World Rugby welcomes this landmark outcome. The vile and toxic abuse is an all too common occurrence for many sports men and women and public figures, and we hope that this sends a very strong message to online trolls that such behaviour is totally unacceptable and that the sport and the authorities are prepared to take action.
“We are delighted to be extending our relationship with Signify Group to tackle online abuse in our sport. In addition to the support provided to our match officials, the partnership has enabled us to focus on the insights that help us better understand the triggers, tactics and threats and how best to mitigate them.”
Tempers flare between players of England and Samoa during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between England and Samoa at Stade Pierre Mauroy on October 07, 2023 in Lille, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Nine’s A Current Affair reported that the messages the 22-year-old father sent were “too inappropriate to be relayed, but were sent to the referee and his wife – even mentioning their children.”
They reported Magistrate Shane Elliott told Isaia that “officials around the world in all different sports shouldn’t have to put up with abuse … particularly … aimed at family members”.
The magistrate took into account that Isaia was intoxicated and felt remorse.
Signify Group chief executive Jonathan Hirshler said Isaia had been caught by an AI-driven system called the Threat Matrix, to identify alleged abuse.
“Using machine learning, it’s able to pick up instances of targeted abuse when they’re being directed at a particular athlete (or) a particular account,” Hirshler told A Current Affair.
“Sending abusive messages threatening violent messages to coaches, match officials, their families and their partners is completely unacceptable.”
During the World Cup, Signify monitored 1.3 million social media posts targeting players, coaches and match officials with 54,000 identified as potentially abusive.
piru
Roar Rookie
Or Austin 3:17
piru
Roar Rookie
In my experience nearly everyone who fronts criminal court (at least here in WA) is a 'devout Christian' or a 'promising footballer'. One of the highest selling items in the canteen in the prison I worked at was little silver crosses for wearing to court - make of that what you will.
Wrecked 'em
Roar Rookie
The two are closely aligned but you have nailed it.
GusTee
Roar Pro
All good points Piru - but I am a bit old school. My main issue was with the suspending of the sentence. IMHO he should have had his wallet impinged. Incidentally, the first definition of "devout" that I hit on a Google search is: "having or showing deep religious feeling or commitment". Using "Devout" and "drunk" together seems somewhat incongruous to me!
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
Or 1 John 1:9
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Well Ray, I’ve known a few who’ve abused the English language Ray, vowels specifically (how many do you run with? :silly: ) But some might say that’s a bit rich coming from an Orstalian. Which it is. But on the internet no one can hear you in print.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I know you’re joking mate, but sadly that is kind of like the logic of some defendants. As a general thought on threads like this, I’d offer that some people do a lot wrong almost as a habit. And others ‘never put a foot wrong’. One thing that the former might have over the latter is that they at least have an idea where the line is. Some read the book Some swear on it. Some chuck it at every transgressor they spot. (a few chuckers are here today) And some actually do what it says.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
Doesn't work that way. Read Romans 6:1 if you have time.
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
Yeah but you're still a singer right? So keep sinning, keep getting forgiven no worries. It's a pretty cool scam when you think about it.
piru
Roar Rookie
Drunk Piru is a different person altogether and nothing he says should be taken seriously
piru
Roar Rookie
Is it dumbing them down or just giving the dumbest of us more airtime than they used to get?
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
Forgiveness comes with repentance.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Are you not the chap who was charged by WR for abusing a match official?
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Just one?
piru
Roar Rookie
Sorry mate you've lost me there - what?
tsuru
Roar Rookie
No Charlie, that’s not politics - what you did was compare this person to a person who has been shown to publicly tell lies and make false claims on multiple occasions - regardless of his political beliefs.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
you did not take me for the type who would be allowed to work with children. Thought you had to keep 500m from schools and such?
piru
Roar Rookie
I don't feel very welcome, tbh
piru
Roar Rookie
Gus you have to look in context a little bit. For the crime in question "use of a carriage service to threaten harrass" etc, this is probably on the lower end of the spectrum. The target lives on the other side of the world, he's unlikely to really believe this kid is going to get on a plane and come after him in Ireland. The defence seem to have argued reasonable mitigation with his argument of being drunk, young and a youth worker (not that I agree with that, but that's what they do). It's likely his first offence, too. If he was sentenced to a year in prison (say) what then does the court do with the next case where it's a bloke sending 500 death threat texts a day to his ex? Not saying I agree, again, personally I think being drunk should be an exacerbating factor, not mitigating, but that's how the courts roll.
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
he showed zero remorse leaving the court. What makes you think that he will pay attention to his wife or his church?