REPORTING. Harassment, threats… In rugby, referees operate in an increasingly harmful climate

The 10th day of Top 14 begins Friday. But the sporting aspect takes a back seat, because the climate around referees has deteriorated in recent weeks.

The 10th day of Top 14 begins Friday December 22 in the evening with two matches on the program: Perpignan faces Bayonne and Bordeaux meets Lyon. Unfortunately, one man risks once again finding himself at the heart of criticism: the referee.

Harassed on social networks, insulted and even threatened with death for some after the 2023 World Cup played in France, referees operate in an increasingly harmful climate. And the players are not exempt from all blame in this deterioration of the situation.

The rise of social networks

“The referee is always right“: this phrase is widely relayed when we talk about rugby, used to praise the famous values ​​of the oval ball sport. Except that in recent weeks, as soon as we watch a match, we see players raising their arms to the sky or approaching the referee to challenge every decision. Racing 92 winger Christian Wade admits reactions are not always exemplary.”In the heat of the moment, it’s true it can be complicated. Emotions are strong and sometimes tempers become heated. But it’s important to stay calm.” admits the Englishman.

For Léo Barré, the back of Stade Français, the players really have a role to play in stopping the drift. “We have to be very correct on and off the field.” assures the Parisian rugby player.

“With social networks, sport is also changing a little with a lot of harassment around referees and around poor performances. Now we say that it is the fault of the referees.”

Léo Barré, rugby player at Stade Français

France Info

Upcoming legal actions

This attitude calls into question the very essence of rugby, underlined Fabien Galthié, the coach of the French XV, after the World Cup. “Our sport, without a referee and without respect for the referee, it will no longer exists”, he said. So of course, we are not there yet. But the drift is such that the organizer of the European Cups is now working with a company specializing in detecting cyberharassment in order to be able to carry out actions, possibly legal, against the perpetrators of threats or insults.