No room for hooligans in club rugby

SA Rugby’s swift reaction to reports of hooliganism and the abuse of referees during club matches in the Eastern Cape is welcome and necessary. The issue came to light when EP Rugby Referees Society chair Phillip Bosch called on club officials, players and spectators to stop abusing referees because it is hindering efforts to recruit new whistlemen. Bad language and the intimidation of referees is a scourge that must be eradicated at all costs before it takes root and destroys club rugby.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said rugby club members who abused or assaulted referees should expect to be banned from the game and action taken against their clubs.

He said his body would adopt a stance of zero tolerance for unruly fans who abused referees at club matches.

Alexander further said he would be writing to all 15 member unions of Saru, urging their disciplinary committees to take the strongest possible action against individuals and clubs under their authority who physically or verbally abused match officials or failed to adequately protect officials.

Bosch said abuse started with club officials and then filtered through to the players and spectators.

Club rugby attracts large crowds and supporters in general are well behaved.

However, there is a small unruly element which needs to be weeded out and hopefully Alexander’s threat of life bans will act as a deterrent.

Alexander added that hot-headed thugs who physically assaulted officials had no place in the sport and should be banned for life from participating or attending.

He pointed out that without match officials there would be no sport and the message must out go out in the strongest possible terms that such actions would not be tolerated.

Alexander also stressed that physical abuse of match officials was regarded as the most serious offence a player or official could commit.

Chaos erupted at a Super 14 club rugby match in Jeffreys Bay in March when spectators invaded the pitch after the final whistle, stabbing and wounding at least three players.

SA’s rugby boss has made it clear there is no room for this type of hooligan in Eastern Cape club rugby.