World Rugby act on disgraceful Argentina v England scenes as Los Pumas star hit with ‘misconduct charges’
Argentina star Tomas Albornoz and the fly-half remonstrating with referee Angus Gardner.
Argentina fly-half Tomas Albornoz is facing a suspension after being hit with “misconduct charges” by World Rugby following their Nations Championship clash with England.
The playmaker was seen remonstrating with referee Angus Gardner after the final whistle of their 31-24 defeat on Saturday, while he also made physical contact with the match official.
A hearing has not yet been confirmed but the governing body have stated that it will be announced in due course.
World Rugby’s statement
“Tomás Albornoz has been issued with misconduct charges following Argentina’s Nations Championship match against England at Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero on 18 July, 2026,” a World Rugby statement said.
“In line with the remit of the Match Official Abuse Sanction Process, the charges relate to events following the final whistle. Albornoz was seen remonstrating with the match officials following the final whistle.
“The hearing details will be confirmed shortly.
“The Match Official Abuse Sanction Process was introduced to complement Regulation 18 and provide a clearer and more consistent framework for addressing public criticism of match officials, particularly where such comments may contribute to wider online abuse.
“Developed by a cross-game working group including competition owner, match official playing and coaching representation and championed by Union CEOs, the process reflects a unified commitment to support and protect match officials.”
Albornoz is the only person charged after World Rugby opened an investigation into what was a fraught encounter at the weekend.
The approach of Los Pumas, who wore a strip inspired by the 1986 Argentinian football team, was criticised.
Their fly-half was constantly at the centre of it having appeared to strike Tommy Freeman after the England wing had received a cheap shot from Albornoz’s team-mate Mateo Carreras.
Neither player have been cited for that incident, but the pivot will be up before a disciplinary panel for his protestations after the final whistle.
Argentina were unhappy that a possible late try for Bautista Delguy was ruled out by the match officials, preventing them from drawing the contest.
Argentina boss also angry
There was also an object thrown from the stands towards referee Gardner while the home side’s head coach Felipe Contepomi accused England of ‘lacking respect’.
Contepomi was irritated over the visitors’ post-match celebrations and stormed out of his press conference as he felt their music was being played too loudly while it was going on.
Argentina’s boss and his team have since come in for plenty of criticism over their attitude, with England great Ben Youngs particularly scathing.
“We’ve seen Rassie be banned, we’ve seen Eddie Jones be banned, we’ve seen Steve Diamond in the PREM, we’ve seen Richard Cockerill in the PREM and for me it starts from the head guy and the way he behaves,” he said on the For The Love of Rugby podcast.
“You saw Contepomi after the game, basically his post-match press conference, he’s asked England to turn down the music and the singing, and they haven’t, so he basically storms out.
“His behaviour at Twickenham [in November] was the same and you’ve seen players at the end of the game after the TMO and the ref has made the decision to surround the ref.
“It’s totally disgraceful, unforgivable behaviour. I hope that World Rugby take it seriously, I hope there’s bans dished out, no one wants to see that in our game and the fact they think that’s okay is an absolute disgrace – it’s awful.”
