Italy’s blunt 51-word statement in response to World Rugby banning Gonzalo Quesada for referee-bashing
The FIR have made a decision whether to appeal the ban handed to head coach Gonzalo Quesada
The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) have confirmed they will appeal the decision to ban handed down to head coach Gonzalo Quesada.
The Azzurri boss was given a two-Test suspension by World Rugby under their new Match Official Abuse Sanctioning Process, following comments made in the aftermath of their 47-17 defeat to the All Blacks last weekend (July 11).
As a result, Quesada is banned from all match-day proceedings, including being present in the stadium, for their upcoming Test against the Wallabies and their meeting with the Springboks in August.
Italy issue response to Gonzalo Quesada’s World Rugby ban
However, the FIR have now confirmed they will appeal the decision.
“The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) has taken note of the decision made by World Rugby to suspend Italy Men’s Head Coach Gonzalo Quesada, for two weeks following the statements made in the post-match interview of New Zealand v Italy, played in Wellington on Saturday, July 11,” a statement read.
“FIR will appeal the decision.”
Gonzalo Quesada banned under World Rugby Match Official Abuse Sanctioning Process
In receiving the suspension, Quesada becomes the first coach banned under the new framework, which was implemented during the recent State of the Game forum.
“Agreed at recent Shape of the Game forum and starting this July, World Rugby has introduced a new Match Official Abuse Sanction Process, featuring across all international rugby fixtures involving World Rugby-appointed match officials,” the governing body said in a statement.
“This includes the World Rugby Junior World Championship, WXV Global Series and Challenger, the World Rugby Nations Cup and the Nations Championship – the new elite tournament owned and operated by Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR.
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
“The Match Official Abuse Sanction Process is targeted at reducing comments which often are the basis of the unacceptable increase in abuse and threats towards match officials.
“Under the process, an independent panel comprising the independent judicial panel chair and two experienced judicial panel members consider whether any conduct or comments made by team personnel includes among other things, allegations that a match official acted with bias, prejudice, improper motive, external influence, or deliberate intent to affect an outcome and/or conduct which, viewed objectively, they knew or ought to know would undermine public confidence in match officials.
“Assessment of comments takes account of a full range of factors including the nature and reach of the comments, the timing, the role of the speaker and any aggravating factors, such as whether the conduct led directly to an increase in personal abuse against a match official. Outcomes range from ‘no further action’ to a guidance letter, formal warning, or automatic sanction under the framework.
“The process runs in parallel with existing misconduct provisions under Regulation 18 and recognises World Rugby’s leading social media protection programme for match officials and players which has shown, since 2023, that a large proportion of social media abuse begins with inaccurate comments on refereeing performance from those in positions of authority.
“In line with the provisions of the Match Official Abuse Sanction Process, World Rugby can confirm that an automatic two-match suspension has been issued to Gonzalo Quesada (Italy Head Coach), which includes a ban on all match-day activity, including being present in the stadium, as a result of comments made in broadcast, and subsequently reported, following the Nations Championship match against New Zealand on 11 July.
“Under the process, Quesada has the right to appeal the sanction to a full judicial committee hearing.”
