Erasmus to face misconduct hearing over ref video

World Rugby has charged SA Rugby’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus as well as SA Rugby with misconduct over the video released last week where Erasmus criticises refereeing decisions in the first test against the British and Irish Lions.

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And with it they have sent out a clear message: Don’t ever question a referee, no matter how bad the decisions are.

The implications of the charge, which came after British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland publicly called on them to deal with the matter, has deepened the rift between northern and southern hemisphere rugby and underlined just how outdated the match official system currently is.

For while referees should be protected, the current system of a loop in feedback days, and sometimes weeks after incidents, is not working, and the system that is shrouded in secrecy and shuns transparency is seen as something to hold up higher than the integrity of the game.

While Erasmus’s methods can be questioned, nobody, least of all World Rugby, has even addressed the questions posed in the hour-long video that was leaked onto social media last week.

Instead, SA Rugby and Erasmus will stand in the dock for speaking out, and World Rugby will bury its head in the sand again and decide that no pushback is the only acceptable way to handle any sort of refereeing controversy.

“South Africa Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and SA Rugby will face an independent misconduct hearing for comments regarding match official performance during the test series between South Africa and the British and Irish Lions,” a statement from World Rugby said.

“Match officials are the backbone of the sport, and without them there is no game. World Rugby condemns any public criticism of their selection, performance or integrity which undermines their role, the well-established and trust-based coach-officials feedback process, and more importantly, the values that are at the heart of the sport.

“Having conducted a full review of all the available information, World Rugby is concerned that individuals from both teams have commented on the selection and/or performance of match officials.

“However, the extensive and direct nature of the comments made by Rassie Erasmus within a video address, in particular, meets the threshold to be considered a breach of World Rugby Regulation 18 (Misconduct and Code of Conduct) and will now be considered by an independent disciplinary panel. The date and panel will be confirmed in due course.

“World Rugby has reminded the management of both teams of the importance of this area and their obligations regarding the values of the sport. In order to protect the integrity of the sport and its values, World Rugby will also undertake a review of its Code of Conduct relating to incidents of this nature with a view to strengthening scope, rules and sanctions.

“As with any test series, South Africa versus the British and Irish Lions is a showcase of rugby that generates great excitement and interest, even more so at this challenging time for sport and society. It is an opportunity for both teams and their management to set a positive example and concentrate on the spectacle and a wonderful example of rugby and its values at their best.”

SA Rugby responded with a terse statement that said little and indicated little more will be said this week.

“SA Rugby has noted the charges brought by World Rugby and will respond through the designated channels.

“Media are advised that there will be no further comment from SA Rugby until the process is complete.”

No date has been set for the hearing.