Japan suspends Eddie Jones for four games and cuts his salary over alleged verbal abuse during a tour of Australia.
Japan suspended head coach Eddie Jones for four games and reduced his salary on Wednesday following allegations of verbal abuse directed at local officials during an Australian tour. The 66-year-old Australian was absent from Japan's Nations Championship opener against Italy in Tokyo, scheduled for July 4th.
In a statement issued by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU), it was revealed that Jones violated their ethics and disciplinary regulations while leading the Japan Under-23 team on a tour of Australia from April 1 to 15. Specifically, the JRFU "verbal abuse directed at local match officials" occurred during this period.
"The measures taken relate to incidences of verbal abuse directed at local match officials," the statement read. Jones accepted the disciplinary action and expressed his regret for any discomfort caused. He offered a sincere apology to everyone involved, emphasizing his commitment not to repeat such behavior in the future.
As a result of these actions, Eddie Jones will miss two games involving a Japan select team against Hong Kong on May 22nd and 29th. Additionally, he is barred from participating in the June 27 Japan XV game against the Maori All Blacks in Nagoya and the Nations Championship opener against Italy on July 4th.
Jones' suspension extends to six weeks, starting from April 24th until June 5th. He will be available for duty when Japan plays Ireland in Newcastle, Australia, on July 11th as part of the Nations Championship.
The JRFU also mentioned that Jones is not permitted to attend the tournament's inaugural game against Paris in Tokyo on July 18th. This decision comes after a thorough investigation into his conduct during the recent tour and underscores the importance Japan places on maintaining high standards of behavior among its coaching staff.
Eddie Jones, known for his tactical acumen and leadership skills, has been an integral part of Japan's rugby success over the past decade. While this suspension is a significant setback, it serves as a reminder that even experienced coaches must adhere to strict codes of conduct set by their governing bodies.
