{"id":295441,"date":"2023-10-29T07:58:54","date_gmt":"2023-10-29T07:58:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports-life-news.com\/?p=295441"},"modified":"2023-10-29T07:58:54","modified_gmt":"2023-10-29T07:58:54","slug":"rugby-world-cup-final-refs-wife-and-kids-were-threatened-after-drama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports-life-news.com\/rugby-league\/rugby-world-cup-final-refs-wife-and-kids-were-threatened-after-drama\/","title":{"rendered":"Rugby World Cup final ref’s wife and kids were threatened after drama"},"content":{"rendered":"

Borthwick backs Curry after racial slur controversy calling it a 'World Rugby matter'<\/h3>\n

One Englishman will be in the Rugby World Cup final despite Steve Borthwick\u2019s side losing to South Africa in the semi-finals, as Wayne Barnes is the man in the middle for Saturday\u2019s showpiece between New Zealand and the Springbok. However, he has previous with South Africa as a controversial decision during one of their matches led to his family being sent vile abuse on social media.<\/p>\n

Barnes is one of rugby\u2019s most respected officials but came in for scrutiny during South Africa\u2019s loss to France last year. He oversaw a 30-26 French victory in what was his 100th Test match, but the game instead would be remembered by the backlash that Barnes received that nearly led him to quit the game altogether after several of his decisions were questioned throughout the 80 minutes.<\/p>\n

South Africa\u2019s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus posted a series of video clips on X (formerly known as Twitter) as he appeared to highlight decisions that went against his side. He would go onto receive a suspension by World Rugby for his social media activity.<\/p>\n

But criticism on social media quickly turned into abuse towards Barnes and his family, as he opened up on the threats that he and his family received that led to the official reporting two perpetrators to the police.<\/p>\n

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\u201cCriticism on social media quickly becomes abuse,\u201d Barnes told The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast. \u201cThat is the world we live in. That is social media. But I make the decision to be a referee, make the decision to be on social media. Polly, my wife, doesn\u2019t make the decision to be a referee.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the Saturday night, there started to be some direct abuse at Polly. Then, the following two or three days, there was direct abuse to Polly, threats of sexual violence and threats against the kids. That takes it to a different level. When you\u2019ve done 100 games, you think you can prepare for most things. You can\u2019t prepare for that.<\/p>\n