This is an extremely rare situation. A referee decided to step aside after suffering numerous insults. The Englishman Tom Foley, in fact, put his international career on hold this Monday due to a “torrent of criticism and insults online” received after having officiated as a video referee in the final of the 2023 World Cup, announced Monday the English Rugby Union (RFU).
On October 28, South Africa won the World Cup by defeating the New Zealanders (12-11) in the final at the Stade de France. Called five times, for two situations of foul play and for a try by the All Blacks, the video referees played the leading roles, distributing the first red in the history of a World Cup final for the New Zealand captain, Sam Duck.
“Torrent of criticism and insults online”
“Having reached the pinnacle of refereeing at the Rugby World Cup final, I believe the time has come to take a break at international level,” the international referee announced in an RFU press release. The pressure and scrutiny I faced after the final, as well as the torrent of criticism and insults online, reassured me that this was the right decision to make at this point in time. my life. »
Tom Foley, who has refereed 48 international matches since 2016, including 16 during the Six Nations Tournament and eight during the 2023 World Cup, had officiated as a video referee alongside central referee Wayne Barnes, also a victim of harassment online after the meeting.
“The insults he has suffered since the final, like the other referees in this match, are completely unacceptable and no one should be treated like this while doing their job for a sport for which they are so passionate,” said the director. General of the RFU, Bill Sweeney. We will do everything in our power to help combat abuse aimed at referees and players, and we invite everyone in our sport to consider the role they can play in defending the values of rugby. »
