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RFU council member punished for Maggie Alphonsi comment on Facebook

The Guardian UK Thursday 04 June 2026, 16:36 UTC By Sarah Rendell 1 min read
Key Points

Matthew Smith has privileges temporarily removed Rugby pundit Alphonsi ‘disappointed’ with outcomeA 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...

  • Matthew Smith has privileges temporarily removed

  • Rugby pundit Alphonsi ‘disappointed’ with outcome

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?”

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RFU (ORG) Maggie Alphonsi (PERSON) Facebook Matthew Smith (PERSON) Alphonsi (PERSON) Rugby Football Union (ORG) the England World Cup (EVENT) Matthew Smith (PERSON) Warwickshire (LOCATION) Facebook (ORG) France (LOCATION) England (LOCATION) the Six Nations (EVENT)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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