NZ's part in social media abuse of referees revealed

Rugby World Cup final referee Wayne Barnes received more abuse on social media than any team or player, according to a report by World Rugby.

The report says match officials were the fourth most targeted group, surpassing finalists the All Blacks.

Barnes was the single most targeted individual throughout the tournament (inclusive of players, match officials and individual stakeholders). He received a third of all abuse targeted directly at individuals.

The abuse towards match officials ranged from match-fixing and corruption accusations to violent and family-related threats.

An example of the abuse towards Barnes said: “You ******* idiot, I hope your wife dies in a car accident and your kids taken away from you due to alcoholism and finally come to your senses and kill yourself.”

According to the report, 21 verified accounts based in New Zealand sent abuse during the tournament. The most verified accounts originated in France (95) and South Africa (71).

The largest spike in abuse came after France were narrowly knocked out of the tournament by South Africa in the quarter-finals. Kiwi Ben O’Keeffe was in charge of that game.

A further spike was seen on the day of the final between the All Blacks and the Springboks due to the profile of the game – and close result. The majority of abuse was targeted again at Barnes, over the players or teams.

England were the most targeted team followed by the Springboks, France and the All Blacks. South Africa were also targeted with high volumes of abuse, elevated by beating New Zealand in the final.

Last year Barnes opened up on the abuse he has received during his career, saying social media abuse is getting worse.

Barnes announced his retirement from refereeing last year, stating that online abuse and threats have become too regular for everyone involved in rugby.

The 44-year-old bowed out as the most experienced referee in the history of international rugby, having overseen 111 test matches since his first in 2006.

In an interview with the BBC, Barnes said threats towards his family crossed a line and that online abuse is getting worse.

“When people make threats against your wife and kids, they should be held to account and punished.

“Threats of sexual violence, threats of saying we know where you live. It crosses that line.

“Social media is getting worse and it’s the sad thing about the sport at the moment. It has not been a one-off.

“I’m on social media for numerous reasons. One is to promote the charitable work I do and to also promote officiating and to explain what a difficult job it is and to humanise it.

“I make that choice, and with that choice comes the ability for people to send messages of hate and violence.”

Barnes told the BBC he wants governing bodies to step in, saying he struggled when his family were subject to abuse.

“If you’re a fan at your local rugby club and you’re sending vile messages to people’s families and making threats, why should you be able to be involved in the rugby family?” he said.

“The bit I’ve always struggled with and will continue to struggle with is when that abuse comes to my family.

“I want prosecuting agencies to consider ways of doing that, I want legislation of what social media sites can do to prevent it and I also want governing bodies to consider what they can do.”

Last month, the UK’s Daily Telegraph revealed that Barnes and his wife, Polly, had been subjected to online abuse and death threats following the World Cup final, which followed a similar backlash to his officiating in last year’s test between the Springboks and France.

After watching the final in the Stade de France along with their two children, Polly Barnes posted on Instagram, “What a vile atmosphere at the Stade de France. It’s just a game k***heads”, before adding: “See ya later Rugby World Cup. Won’t miss you, or the death threats.”

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission