sports
RFU council member punished for Maggie Alphonsi comment on Facebook
A Rugby Football Union council member has had his privileges suspended for seven months after making a discriminatory comment about the England World Cup winner and pundit Maggie Alphonsi.
TL;DR
- An RFU council member, Matthew Smith, has been suspended for seven months.
- The suspension follows a discriminatory Facebook comment about pundit Maggie Alphonsi.
- Smith's RFU Council privileges and access to premises are removed until December 14.
- He retains voting rights and can attend meetings virtually.
- Alphonsi expressed disappointment, citing ongoing sexism in the sport.
- Smith has apologized for his comment, calling it an "error of judgment".
- Alphonsi was the first former women's player to pundit men's Test rugby in the UK.