Overview

• Tom Foley, the television match official for this year’s Rugby World Cup final, has retired from international rugby citing online abuse.
• Foley and his family received death threats following the World Cup final, with abusers even contacting the school of his young children.
• Wayne Barnes, the referee of the World Cup final, and England captain Owen Farrell have also stepped back from international duty due to online abuse.
• Foley will continue officiating at Premiership and European level.
• World Rugby is set to become the first sports governing body to take action against online abusers, with prosecutions possible.