RFU council member loses perks over Maggie Alphonsi post
7 reported
A Rugby Football Union council member has been stripped of hospitality benefits for seven months after posting a discriminatory comment about television pundit and former England player Maggie Alphonsi. Matthew Smith, who represents Warwickshire on the 62-member council, wrote on Facebook during coverage of France’s 48-46 win over England in March, asking “can someone please explain to me WTF does Maggie Alphonsi know about men’s rugby?” A three-person disciplinary panel found Smith breached the council’s code of conduct, which has a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and harassment. Smith removed the post, accepted the charges, and sent a letter of apology to Alphonsi, saying he had no intent to cause offence and that his judgment was affected by personal stress and anxiety. Alphonsi said she felt let down by the level of punishment, noting Smith can still serve as a council member but loses access to hospitality tickets for England games. She stated the incident has had greater ramifications on herself, as she must publicly defend herself and expects further misogyny and sexism. The RFU council is currently undergoing a governance review aimed at slimming down the body and reducing its power to an advisory role.
What’s reported
Matthew Smith, RFU council member for Warwickshire, posted a discriminatory comment about Maggie Alphonsi on Facebook during France’s 48-46 win over England in March.
A three-person disciplinary panel ruled Smith breached the council’s code of conduct, which has a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and harassment.
Smith was stripped of hospitality benefits for seven months, including tickets to England games, free meals, and travel expenses.
Smith removed the post, accepted the charges, and sent a letter of apology to Alphonsi, stating he had no intent to cause offence and was hampered by personal stress and anxiety.
Alphonsi, a former England player with 74 caps and a 2014 World Cup winner, said she felt let down by the punishment and that it shows sexism and misogyny still exist in the game.
Alphonsi served on the RFU council for nine years after being elected in 2016 as the first female former player to do so.
The RFU council is being reformed under a governance review pushed by chief executive Bill Sweeney to slim down the body and reduce its power to an advisory role.
Key figures
Matthew Smith: RFU council member representing Warwickshire.
Maggie Alphonsi: Former England rugby player, television pundit, and former RFU council member.
Bill Sweeney: RFU chief executive.
Sources: BBC News
