RFU council member suspended for discriminatory comment about Maggie Alphonsi

A Rugby Football Union council member has had his privileges suspended for seven months after making a discriminatory comment about the England World Cup winner and pundit Maggie Alphonsi.

Matthew Smith, who represents Warwickshire, made the comment on Facebook about the 42-year-old during France’s 48-46 win against England in the Six Nations earlier this year. He posted: “Can someone please explain to me WTF does Maggie Alphonsi know about men’s rugby?”

An independent disciplinary panel handed him a one-year ban but lowered it to seven months because of mitigation. They cited his support of a 2025 girls’ rugby festival and also took into consideration his service to the sport. He has had his RFU Council privileges and access to RFU premises removed until 14 December, which includes match tickets and travel expenses.

Smith will be able to attend meetings virtually and still holds his voting rights. The RFU does not have the power to remove a council member, a decision that would have to be made by Warwickshire and its members.

Alphonsi, who won seven Six Nations titles in her career before retiring in 2014, has said she is “disappointed” with the outcome of the hearing.

In a statement, she said: “I have to publicly defend myself which will likely lead to further misogyny and sexism from people who equally hold this view. I also have to drag this incident up again rather than be done with it, which has obviously led to greater frustration and distress.

“Going forward I will now likely have to endure further criticism, but Mr Smith initiated this incident and the only punishment he will receive is not getting hospitality tickets to some England games.

“I am extremely disappointed with this. It shows sexism and misogyny still exists within the game and it’s important it is stamped out and called out.”

Smith sent a letter of apology to Alphonsi after his punishment was confirmed.

He said separately: “I shouldn’t have shared my view online and apologise if this has caused any offence to anyone. Once I realised my error of judgment I immediately removed the post on the Saturday night/early hours Sunday morning.

“I can assure you that I had no intent of causing any offence and that unfortunately I made an error of judgment which was hampered by personal stress and anxiety.”

Alphonsi, who spent nine years serving on the RFU council, was the first former women’s player to work as a pundit in men’s Test rugby in the UK. She has been an established member of ITV’s punditry team since the 2015 World Cup.