Casey Johnson, a rugby player at Ossett RUFC, has been banned for 32 weeks and fined £125 after shouting sexist abuse at a female referee during a match earlier this year. The disciplinary panel found Johnson was intoxicated when he shouted "get your baps out" at the official.
The Rugby Football Union described Johnson's language as "abhorrent" and "highly offensive". Johnson admitted he had no real explanation for his actions, and his ban from playing, coaching and watching rugby expires on March 13 next year.
Referee's ordeal and panel's response
The female referee told the disciplinary panel she was "shocked" by the comment made at her. According to WalesOnline, her parents were in the crowd and were described as "heartbroken and angry" by the abuse their daughter received.
WalesOnline reports the RFU panel calculated Johnson's punishment by reducing an initial 42-week suspension by 33% for showing remorse, then adding a mandatory four-week increase for abusing a match official. Johnson was also charged with shouting "go on, show us your boobs" but denied this additional charge.
Strong condemnation from rugby community
The RFU emphasised that such language "has no place in society, including rugby, and it plainly goes against rugby's core values". The governing body warned the incident "has the very real potential to impact on the participation of women in rugby and cannot be tolerated".
Both clubs involved took swift action and condemned Johnson's behaviour, with WalesOnline reporting they described his actions as "unacceptable" and "disgusting".
Springboks hit by key injuries
South Africa's hopes of bouncing back from their shock Rugby Championship defeat by Australia have been hit by injuries to iconic captain Siya Kolisi and other key players. The Springboks, who have won the last two World Cups, lost their number one ranking after conceding 38 unanswered points to the Wallabies at the weekend.
The two teams will meet again in Cape Town on Saturday. Kolisi is out for four weeks with a knee problem while Pieter-Steph du Toit - the current World Rugby men's player of the year - and wing Kurt-Lee Arendse are also set for spells on the sidelines.
First-choice backs Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe are back fit, however.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Daily Mail", "WalesOnline" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
