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Eddie Jones reprimanded by the RFU over referee criticism

Eddie Jones has been reprimanded by the RFU after his comments made about referee Ben O'Keefe in ...



Eddie Jones reprimanded by the...
Rugby

Eddie Jones reprimanded by the RFU over referee criticism

Eddie Jones has been reprimanded by the RFU after his comments made about referee Ben O'Keefe in the wake of the Six Nations clash between England and Wales.

Jones criticised O'Keefe for the red card given to Manu Tuilagi for a dangerous tackle on George North four minutes from the end of England's win.

"It was 13 versus 16 at the end,” said Jones after the game.

When asked who the 16th was, replied: "You work it out. I usually do not comment on incidents like this but I am breaking my rule because I found the red card bizarre.

"I do not know how you are meant to make a tackle when a guy is falling after a chop tackle.

"Manu was coming over the top to kill the tackle. It’s absolute rubbish and there is no common sense in such situations. Come on."

The RFU put out a statement this afternoon expressing their displeasure with Jones' comments.

"The RFU does not condone comments that undermine the integrity of match officials, who are central to the sport and its values," Bill Sweeney, RFU Chief Executive Officer .

"We have discussed with England head coach Eddie Jones the nature of the comments he made to the media in the immediate aftermath of a dramatic finish to the England versus Wales Guinness Six Nations match on Saturday, and have made it clear that such comments are not in line with the values of the sport or the RFU.

"Eddie and the RFU regret any implication that Ben O’Keeffe was biased in his decision making.

"We have outlined this position to the tournament organisers the Six Nations and World Rugby, who will pass on our apologies to Ben O’Keeffe and the match officials team.

"In the meantime, Eddie Jones and the RFU have proposed a high level discussion forum with World Rugby to help achieve greater general alignment between coaches and match officials.

"All parties are satisfied the matter has been dealt with appropriately, are confident that further action would be taken should such a situation occur in the future, and consider the matter to be closed."

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