A member of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) council has been banned from Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium for seven months after a social media post about World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi.
Matt Smith – the council representative for Warwickshire – had questioned Alphonsi’s knowledge of men’s rugby in a post on Facebook made on the final day of the Six Nations in March.
“Can someone explain to me WTF does Maggie Alphonsi know about men’s rugby,” Smith’s post read. Alphonsi won 71 England caps during her playing career, was a key figure in the 2014 World Cup win and has since forged a successful career as a broadcaster for the BBC, ITV and Sky Sports.
The council member accepted charges of acting in a discriminatory way towards any person, and failing to comply with the RFU’s media policy.
His case was heard by an independent disciplinary panel, which suspended Smith’s council privileges for seven months and barred him from RFU premises for the same period.
The governing body has no power to remove council members, though Warwickshire RFU or members within the constituent body may consider further action.
In an email to the RFU’s head of discipline three days after making the social media post, Smith had apologised for sharing his view online.
“I whole heartedly apologise for the Facebook Post that was made on Saturday 14th March, I shouldn’t have shared my view online and apologise if this has caused any offence to anyone,” he said.
“Once I realised my error of judgement I immediately removed the post on the Saturday night/early hours Sunday morning. I can assure you that I had no intent of causing any offence and that unfortunately I made an error of judgement which was hampered by personal stress and anxiety.”
Smith has lost the right to access RFU premises until 14 December, and will be unable to attend England’s three home matches in the Nations Championship this November.
Alphonsi received a letter from Smith on May 21 – five days after the judgment – apologising to her for his remarks.
