LEGAL action is being taken after match officials and players suffered online abuse during the Rugby World Cup.
World Cup final referee Wayne Barnes retired after South Africa’s 12-11 victory over New Zealand in November and told the BBC he and his family received “vile” social media abuse that “crossed a line”.
His wife, Polly, previously said Barnes received death threats after the match.
“Those who abuse or threaten players, match officials or their families must realise there will be consequences for their actions,” said Barnes. “It is great to see World Rugby leading the way and seeing the first charges being made against those individuals who send such appalling messages.
“There is simply no place for that behaviour in rugby, in sport or in society.”
Referee Tom Foley announced in December he would take a break from Test rugby because of the “torrent of criticism and abuse” he received after the final where he was the television match official (TMO).
One person in Australia has been charged for online abuse and there are also multiple pending prosecutions in South Africa, France, New Zealand and the UK.
World Rugby partnered with an online monitoring agency for the tournament which flagged more than 1,600 abusive accounts to social media.
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