Former Wallabies coach handed ban and pay cut for abusing officials

Eddie Jones suspended by Japan Rugby for verbal abuse of officials

The Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) has suspended head coach Eddie Jones for six weeks and imposed a pay cut after he verbally abused match officials during an under-23 tour of Australia, according to statements from the union and Jones himself.

The JRFU announced the disciplinary measures on Wednesday, stating that Jones violated the union's ethics and disciplinary regulations during a Japan Under-23 team tour of Australia from April 1 to 15. The union described the incidents as "verbal abuse directed at local match officials."

As a result, Jones will be suspended from his duties as head coach from April 24 to June 5, and will not be allowed to take part in two matches between Japan Select and Hong Kong China Select on May 22 and 29, the Japan XV game against the Māori All Blacks on June 27 in Nagoya, and the full Japan side's Nations Championship opener against Italy on July 4 in Tokyo. He will also take a pay cut, the JRFU said.

Jones, who previously coached Australia and England, accepted the sanctions and issued an apology. "I accept the disciplinary action of the JRFU relating to the U23 Japan national team tour of Australia," he said. He acknowledged that remarks he made caused "discomfort to local match officials and other related parties," and expressed regret: "Some inappropriate remarks that I made caused discomfort to local match officials and other related parties. I would like to offer my sincere apologies to everyone involved. I deeply regret my behaviour and words and will make every effort to ensure that this doesn't happen again."

Both reports from ABC Australia and Al Jazeera agree on the key facts: the nature of the misconduct (verbal abuse), the timeline of the tour (April 1-15), the length of the suspension (six weeks, until June 5), the matches he will miss (including the Italy Test on July 4), the pay cut, and Jones's acceptance of the punishment. The two sources also note that the JRFU's statement did not provide specifics about the remarks or the circumstances of the incidents.

The suspension comes as Jones was preparing Japan for the upcoming international season, which includes the Nations Championship opener against Italy. The JRFU's decision underscores the union's commitment to maintaining standards of conduct for its coaching staff, according to the statements.

Jones, a seasoned coach with a long international career, has not yet commented beyond his apology, but the JRFU's swift action suggests the matter was considered serious. The union said it had concluded its review of the incidents during the under-23 tour, with the sanctions now in effect.

For now, Jones will step away from his role, with the JRFU presumably relying on assistant coaches to fill the gap during his suspension. The team's preparation for the May and June fixtures will be affected, but the union did not announce any interim coach in its statement.