Maggie Alphonsi: RFU council member sacked for post about Pt

A Rugby Football Union council member has been stripped of the benefits of his position for seven months – including tickets to England games, free meals and travel expenses – after posting discriminatory criticism of television pundit Maggie Alphonse.

Matthew Smith, who represents Warwickshire’s 62-strong body, asked “Can someone please explain to me WTF does Maggie Alphonsi know about men’s rugby?” In a Facebook post during the coverage France’s 48-46 win over England in March.

A three-man disciplinary panel ruled that Smith, whose profile picture was wearing an England-branded top, had breached the council’s code of conduct.

It sets out a “zero-tolerance approach” to discrimination and harassment and prohibits public comments that could damage the reputation of the game or the RFU.

Alphonsi, who played 74 times for England and was part of the 2014 Rugby World Cup winning side, said he was disappointed at the level of Smith’s punishment, believing it could have gone further.

“He is now not allowed to attend the Allianz Stadium and access its facilities, but can still actively serve as a council member,” he said.

“This incident has affected me even more.

“I have to defend myself publicly which will probably lead to more abuse and sexism from those who share this view. I have to drag this incident out again rather than deal with it, which obviously leads to more frustration and suffering.

“I will probably have to endure more criticism now to move on, but Mr Smith initiated this incident and the punishment he will receive is no hospitality tickets to some of England’s games.

“I’m extremely disappointed by this. It shows that sexism and misogyny still exist in games and it’s important to stamp it out and call it out.”

Alphonsi has previously spoken of the abuse he received in his journalistic role.

In 2021, he wrote that the accolades he received after being trolled online during his coverage of a Six Nations game between France and Italy exceeded “what those sexist people have achieved”.

After retiring from the game in 2014, Alfonsi focused on a media career, becoming the first female former player to work men’s Test rugby in the UK when she appeared on ITV Sport’s broadcast of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

In 2016 she became the first female ex-player to be elected to the RFU Council – the body Smith works for – in 2016. He served on the council for nine years.