Nigel Owens issues plea to fans over 'personal' attacks on Owen Farrell

In the midst of the controversy surrounding England captain Owen Farrell, renowned ex-referee Nigel Owens has called on fans to desist from ‘personal attacks’ on the flyhalf.

Farrell’s participation in the World Cup is in renewed doubt after World Rugby appealed against the decision to overturn his red card from Saturday’s clash with Wales.

An independent disciplinary panel caused an outcry on Tuesday when it cleared the England captain to play despite his shoulder-led tackle to the head of Taine Basham that was expected to result in a significant ban.

But, having examined the written judgement of the hearing, World Rugby believes there is grounds for an appeal, the details of which have yet to be confirmed.

Owens, who has written that Farrell’s tackle warranted a ‘red card’ in a recent column, has now come to the defence of the 31-year-old, who has found himself the subject of torrents of online abuse after the incident.

“With respect a lot of you need to stop letting your emotions take over. Do not look at the individual who by the way is one of the best on and off the field. Just deal with the facts of the tackle,not who made it. That’s what we all do as officials now please stop being personal,” Owens wrote on X.

With respect a lot of you need to stop letting your emotions take over. Do not look at the individual who by the way is one of the best on and off the field. Just deal with the facts of the tackle,not who made it. That’s what we all do as officials now please stop being personal.

— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) August 19, 2023

He was supported by former Wales international and pundit Jonathan Davies, who replied: “I totally agree.I can’t believe the hatred on here. Social media at its worse. Owen is one of the nicest guys you’ll meet and a great rugby player.”

Farrell’s father, Andy, the current head coach of Ireland, labelled the abused aimed at his son as ‘absolutely disgusting’.

“Whatever I say is probably flawed anyway,” said Farrell Snr. “When you’re talking about somebody’s son and asking the question, it’s always going to be flawed, so what does that really matter?

“I don’t normally say too much because of that type of reason about my son.

“But what I probably would say at this moment in time is that the circus that’s gone on in and around all of this is absolutely disgusting, in my opinion, disgusting.

“I suppose those people that have loved their time in the sun get a few more days to keep going at that.”

additional reporting PA