Wayne Barnes slams referees’ union for role in rebellion over RFU pay

World Cup final official Wayne Barnes has criticised the Rugby Football Referees’ Union and its role in a grassroots rebellion over the Rugby Football Union pay and bonuses scandal.

The RFU has agreed to hold a special general meeting after the Six Nations when the governing body’s under-fire chief executive Bill Sweeney will face calls for his removal.

A community game uprising, including the referees’ union, began after it was revealed Sweeney received £1.1million for the 2023-24 financial year, comprising of an increased salary of £742,000 and a bonus of £358,000. Bonuses totalling almost £1m were also paid to a further five executives.

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It comes despite the RFU reporting an operating loss of £37.9m for 2023-24 – the highest it has ever recorded – and making 42 staff redundant.

Infuriated by the executives’ pay and bonus scandal that came to light in November, as well as other grievances, a formal letter featuring the signatories of 141 RFU member clubs and referees’ societies was submitted on January 9.

The Telegraph reports it has seen a letter from former leading English referee Barnes, who controlled more than 100 Test matches and retired after taking charge of the 2023 World Cup final, in which he accuses his own union of harming the “credibility of every referee across England”.

The paper says Barnes’ letter, sent to all referees and referees’ societies, states: “When our Union sends an email with language like this, it damages every referee, because if referees can openly criticise other members of the game, why can’t the game openly criticise referees?

“This is something we have all worked hard to campaign against. The (RFU) council members the RFRU accuse of trying to stifle good governance are volunteers of the game, just like you.”

Barnes goes on to say “referees should have a strong voice in the game, but this is not the right way to do it”.

The PA news agency has contacted the referees’ union for comment.

In another development, it has emerged the RFU has employed crisis-management company Teneo as fall-out continues.

It is understood, though, that suggestions the RFU is paying Teneo £5,000 a day are inaccurate.

The arrangement is believed to be a three-month contract for a small number of days each month at non-commercial rates to support the RFU as it transitions to a new executive member for communications.