Exclusive: Alan Gilpin says those who cross the line in their criticism of decisions will be sanctioned
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin has promised to protect referees by clamping down on public criticism of match officials by players and coaches.
Public attacks on referees have sharply increased in recent years from South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus’ leaked tirade against Nic Berry during the 2021 Lions series to Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton’s confrontation with Jaco Peyper following the Champions Cup final last season. This has coincided with a rise in social media pile-ons with Berry, Peyper and Wayne Barnes among officials to have received death threats.
World Rugby had already moved to assist officials by introducing the foul-play bunker system in which potential red-card offences are reviewed as the game continues. However, ahead of what promises to be the highest profile Rugby World Cup to date, Gilpin told Telegraph Sport that it is incumbent upon coaches and players to ensure that respect towards referees is maintained both in press conferences and social media posts during the World Cup.
Asked if they will punish those who step out of line, Gilpin said: “Absolutely yes. We have an ever evolving code of conduct in place for coaches and players and there’s been lots of education around that. They are very clear in what we expect and people need to stay within those parameters.