Former Eddie Jones has been suspended as head coach of Japan national rugby union team for the next four matches after abusing match officials during an under-23 tour of Australia last month.
The Japanese Rugby Football Union confirmed that Jones has been stood down for six weeks because of the “seriousness of the matter” and the terms of his contract. The 66-year-old has also been fined and subjected to a salary reduction.
Jones will miss Japan’s opening Nations Championship fixture against Italy national rugby union team on 4 July, along with two matches against a Hong Kong China Select side and a warm-up game against the Maori All Blacks.
The former England national rugby union team boss admitted wrongdoing and apologised for his actions.
“Some inappropriate remarks that I made caused discomfort to local match officials and other related parties,” Jones said.
“I would like to offer my sincere apologies to everyone involved.”
Japan’s under-23 side won three of their four matches during the Australia tour, including a 38-21 victory over Jones’ former Sydney club Randwick in the final game.
Jones, who guided England to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, has previously been involved in heated incidents in Australia. During England’s 2022 tour, he exchanged angry words with supporters after a series-clinching victory over the Australia national rugby union team in Sydney.
Japan have been drawn alongside France national rugby union team, United States national rugby union team and Samoa national rugby union team in the pool stage of next year’s Rugby World Cup.
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