Coleraine Rugby Club fined £5,000 over female referee abuse
- Published
It is not clear if the club has apologised to the referee
Coleraine Rugby Club has been fined £5,000 by Ulster rugby authorities after a female referee was verbally abused at the club last season.
The referee, who was the target of sexist, verbal abuse from the touchline, is understood to be Grainne Crabtree.
She is a former City of Derry player.
Irish rugby's governing body, the IRFU, said on Tuesday night Coleraine RFC have apologised to Ms Crabtree.
However, Coleraine RFC are refusing to confirm this.
The BBC first asked the club on Saturday if it had apologised to referee Grainne Crabtree.
Two days later, the club issued a statement on the controversy but made no reference to an apology.
"The IRFU have been advised (this evening) that an apology has issued from the club to the referee in question," an IRFU spokesman said.
"We note that this issue has been resolved.
"Respect for all those involved in the game is of paramount importance."
Coleraine Rugby Club has refused to answer questions about the incident
The Ulster Society of Rugby Football Referees also issued a statement: "The society would like to confirm that a full and unequivocal apology has been received by the referee from the club, regrettably no individuals have come forward, or been identified, within that apology."
Refusal
Rugby referees refused to officiate at Coleraine's home matches after the incident in March, but have now agreed to end their protest.
However, the club is refusing to answer questions about the incident, including whether or not any internal disciplinary action has been taken.
In a statement, the club made no direct reference to the referee at the centre of the verbal abuse.
"Coleraine Rugby Club is pleased that there has been a resolution to the long-running dispute involving rugby's Ulster Branch Referees Society and the club," a spokesperson said.
"The club has accepted the decision of the Ulster Branch review into this matter.
"We are now looking forward to giving a warm welcome to all referees and teams visiting our club for matches this week and in the future."
It is believed that although the club has been fined £5,000, there will be £2,000 returned in two years if there are no further incidents.
Ulster Rugby authorities have carried out two investigations into the incident.
Has the issue been resolved?
There appears to be an attempt within rugby to brush this controversy under the carpet.
Last month, Ulster rugby referees raised two issues:
The absence of an apology to referee Grainne Crabtree
The lack of internal disciplinary action by Coleraine.
Now, all sides seem prepared to move on without addressing these issues publicly.
They appear to be hoping that if they keep refusing give answers the questions will simply go away.
'Respect for referees'
Following the latest investigation, a spokesperson said: "Following a recommendation by the review panel, the IRFU Ulster Branch has imposed a fine on Coleraine RFC.
"This sanction has been accepted by the club.
"While the Coleraine RFC issue is now closed, the IRFU Ulster Branch is actively considering how to promote respect for referees."
Ulster Rugby authorities have carried out two investigations into the incident
The verbal abuse thrown at Ms Crabtree occurred at a fixture between Coleraine RFC and Dromore last season.
The two clubs are due to play each other again on Saturday.
The Ulster Society of Rugby Football Referees (USRFR) has agreed to resume duties at Coleraine.
"Our interest is the protection of our volunteer members and we are assured by the branch that they are actively reviewing measures to ensure their future well-being," a spokesperson said.
Last month the referee's society said no individual had been "held to account by Coleraine RFC and no apology has been received by the referee".
Their latest statement made no reference to either of these issues.
- Published25 April 2018
- Published17 September 2018
