The Rugby Football Union has issued two-year Twickenham bans to two men accused of directing homophobic abuse at the referee Nigel Owens, the governing body has announced.
The RFU launched an investigation into allegations of offensive language used against Owens, who is openly gay, made by a spectator who attended England’s 24-21 defeat by New Zealand this month.
The two supporters are banned from attending all matches at Twickenham for two years and will also pay £1,000 each to a charity of Owens’ choice.
“While instances of this nature are exceptionally rare, the RFU takes rugby’s values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship very seriously, and is determined to uphold them,” said the RFU chief executive, Ian Ritchie. “We are all guardians of these aspects of the game, on and off the pitch, and it is these values which make the sport special.”