Wayne Barnes interacts with Springbok fullback Willie le Roux. Image: Getty Images
Referee Barnes reveals horrific abuse after Boks-France game
Referee Wayne Barnes says he considered giving up refereeing after his family recently received threatening online abuse.
Wayne Barnes interacts with Springbok fullback Willie le Roux. Image: Getty Images
On the recently-concluded end-of-year tour, France claimed a thrilling 30-26 win over the Springboks, and among an array of post-match talking points, referee Wayne Barnes came in for widespread criticism – particularly after a number of controversial calls went against South Africa late in the game.
The result and the Test as a spectacle, was overshadowed when Barnes awarded a crucial try to the home side, despite replays showing a double movement in the lead-up late in the game.
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During the final 10 minutes, several other decisions went the way of France, which included a marginal Willie le Roux pass having been adjudicated to have gone forward.
Just a few hours after this game, Rassie Erasmus shared a seemingly sarcastic message on Twitter, which said in part: “We just have to fix these fundamental errors like tackle technique and simple passing. Sorry!” The tweet from Erasmus’ social media handle of @Rassie Rugby also included a video showing Cheslin Kolbe on the receiving end of a dangerous forearm to the face early on in the game.
Erasmus continued to share tweets around this game that were deemed to be unfairly critical of officials, and ultimately led to him being banned for the final two matches of the end-of-year tour.
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Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast, Barnes has now opened up about the shocking abuse that was sent to him, and the threats to his wife and children.
“Criticism on social media quickly becomes abuse,” Barnes said. “That 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’t make the decision to be a referee.
“On 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’ve done 100 games, you think you can prepare for most things. You can’t prepare for that…
“I don’t mind people criticising my performance and, if they want to abuse me directly, that’s their choice. But that wasn’t just a line that was crossed. You couldn’t even see the line, it had gone that far. It affects you and it affects your family.”
Barnes could not give a definitive answer when asked whether the tweets from Erasmus might have escalated the abuse, but he suggested that it could inspire others to target officials on social media.
“I don’t know the answer to that. What I would say is that if people see people in positions who are meant to uphold the values of our game openly criticising referees then it allows others to say, ‘People in positions of power can criticise, why can’t I?’”
Barnes also acknowledged he even considered walking away from refereeing in the aftermath of the controversy.
“I sacrifice, but it’s a family sacrifice and you do think, ‘I’ve got this other decent job to go to. I’m a partner at a law firm and they’re keen for me to come back full-time’,” he told the podcast. “Of course you question it, and that’s a constant conversation you have with your family.”
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