Overview
- Japan’s rugby union announced Wednesday a four‑match ban and pay cut for head coach Eddie Jones for verbally abusing local referees during Japan U23’s April tour of Australia.
- The sanctions include a six‑week suspension from duties from April 24 to June 5 and a bar on involvement in games on May 22, May 29, June 27 and July 4.
- Jones accepted the ruling and issued a public apology, saying his remarks caused discomfort to match officials and others involved.
- He is eligible to resume team preparations on June 5 and is slated to return on matchday for Japan’s Nations Championship test against Ireland on July 11 in Newcastle, Australia.
- Reports in Australia say he repeatedly harangued referees from pitchside, drawing a complaint from Rugby Australia, and the case fits a long pattern of disciplinary run‑ins across his career.