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With their football team already under investigation by FIFA for antics following a World Cup game, a second Argentine sports team is officially being investigated for violent behavior following the constant siren – and there’s an Australian at the center of it all.
World Rugby is investigating the actions of Argentine players towards Australian referee Angus Gardner following a violent and controversial clash with their England rivals in Santiago on Sunday morning.
In a heated Nations Championship match played 24 hours before the World Cup final, England won 31–24.
Gardner clashed on the field after full-time with several Pumas players who were upset at the decision to disallow a last-minute try that would have equalized the match. Gardner also had an object thrown at him from the crowd as he left the field to a chorus of jeers.
The game took place against a backdrop of already heightened tensions after the two countries battled it out in a racy World Cup semi-final three days earlier.
The troubled history between Argentina and England surfaced in the lead-up to the match and, in reference to the 1982 Falkland Islands War, several groups of fans at the Unico Madre de Ciudades stadium during the Pumas v England rugby match unfurled banners referencing Las Malvinas, the Argentine name for the islands.
Angus Gardner (left) watches the TMO review the England v Argentina decision on the big screen.RFU Collection via Getty Images
In a further escalation, the Argentine rugby team wore a replica of the blue football jersey Argentina wore at the 1986 World Cup, in which Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal helped knock England out of the game.
Against this backdrop, with emotions running high, the Pumas-England game was predictably combative and Gardner, one of the world’s best referees, had his hands full. He handed out seven yellow cards during the game, but the match officials’ decision to deny the hosts the chance of a draw after normal time meant tempers flared.
Trailing 31-24 down their line, Argentina attacked for almost three minutes against an England team reduced to 13 men, with striker Bautista Delgui eventually touching down in the corner. Gardner’s on-field decision was a try, but TMO Brett Cronan, another Australian, after checking determined that part of the ball had landed on the touchline and overturned the decision.
Complaints from the Pumas players that Delgui had been hit by two high tackles, which would have warranted a penalty, were also dismissed by Gardner.
After Gardner came out for the full game, several frustrated Argentine players clashed with the referee, and fifth-eighth Tomas Albornoz made contact with the Australian. A shocked Gardner said, “Hey, hey, hey, don’t, don’t,” and when Albornoz also collided with assistant referee Paul Williams, the referee said, “Hey, don’t do that.”
Albornoz threw the ball to the ground near the match officials, and although a member of the Pumas coaching staff covered Gardner and kept several Argentine players from colliding with him, the Delgui striker also appeared to deliberately walk past the referee.
Footage on social media showed Gardner was then subjected to shouts from the crowd calling him a “thief” as he walked through the tunnel, and narrowly avoided being hit by a projectile from the stands.
World Rugby is investigating the incident and match officials have provided statements after the match, sources with knowledge of the matter said. The global governing body has been contacted for comment.
Diego Maradona puts the ball into the net for his “Hand of God” goal against England in 1986.Getty Images
Under World Rugby Law 9.28, players are prohibited from making contact with match officials or using verbal abuse. In both cases, sanctions range from a six-week suspension to a 52-week suspension.
Although referee appointments are made by World Rugby, referees are employees of the national unions.
Rugby Australia on Tuesday declined to comment on Gardner’s case but stressed there is no place in rugby for abuse or intimidation of match officials.
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“The safety and welfare of match officials is vital to the integrity of rugby,” an RA spokesman said.
“Match officials play an important role in promoting the growth and popularity of rugby on the international stage at our local clubs. It is vital that we provide them with a safe and respectful environment in which to carry out their important duties. Harassing and/or intimidating match officials is not consistent with the values of our game.”
The RA recently sent out an updated directive to state unions emphasizing the need for zero tolerance towards abuse and intimidation of match officials.
World Rugby has also recently shown a willingness to defend match officials by suspending Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada last week for excessively criticizing a referee. He was unable to attend the team’s match with the Wallabies in Perth.
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Ian Payten is senior sports reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or e-mail.