Japan head coach Eddie Jones banned following explosive outburst
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Banned.
Former England head coach Eddie Jones has been suspended for four matches by the Japan Rugby Football Union after verbally abusing local match officials during Japan U23’s recent tour of Australia.
The 66-year-old, currently in his second spell as head coach of Japan, has also been hit with a salary reduction following the incident, which took place during the side’s tour between April 1 and April 15.
According to a statement released by the JRFU, Jones breached the union’s ethics and disciplinary regulations through “verbal abuse directed at local match officials.”
Jones has since accepted the punishment and issued a public apology.
“I accept the disciplinary action of the JRFU relating to the U23 Japan national team tour of Australia,” Jones said.
“Some inappropriate remarks that I made caused discomfort to local match officials and other related parties.
“I would like to offer my sincere apologies to everyone involved. I deeply regret my behaviour and words and will make every effort to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.”
The suspension means Jones will miss Japan select fixtures against Hong Kong on May 22 and May 29, along with the Japan XV clash against the Māori All Blacks in Nagoya on June 27.
Most notably, he will also be absent for Japan’s opening Nations Championship fixture against Italy national rugby union team on July 4.
It is the latest controversy involving Jones, whose coaching career has rarely been short on headlines.
The former England and Australia boss only returned to Japan in 2024 after his chaotic Wallabies exit following the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
