Former England head coach Eddie Jones suspended and handed pay cut for verbally abusing officials - 'I deeply regret my behaviour'
Published 13/05/2026 at 17:29 GMT+1
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Former England head coach Eddie Jones has been suspended for six weeks - and handed a pay cut - after verbally abusing match officials during a tour of Australia.
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The sanctions for Jones, appointed as Japan coach for a second time in December 2023, were announced by the country’s governing body on Wednesday.
Jones was sanctioned over incidents of verbal abuse aimed at match officials during an Under-23 tour in April. The 66-year-old has accepted the decision, according to the Japanese Rugby Football Union (JRFU).
In a statement, Jones - whose seven-year stint in charge of England ended in 2022 following a poor run of form - offered his "sincere apologies" to the officials.
"Some inappropriate remarks that I made caused discomfort to local match officials and other related parties," said Jones.
"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 for Jones - who took the Japan job six weeks after stepping down as Australia head coach following an early World Cup exit - runs from April 24 to June 5.
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A JRFU statement read: "Disciplinary measures will be taken against Eddie Jones in accordance with the JRFU’s Ethics and Disciplinary Regulations.
"These measures relate to incidents of verbal abuse directed at local match officials during the Japan U23 National Team tour of Australia, which took place between April 1 and 15, 2026.
"In addition to the above disciplinary measures, in light of the seriousness of this matter, the JRFU has already decided, based on the contract with him, to impose a salary reduction on him.
"And to suspend him from his duties as Head Coach of the Japan national team for 6 weeks (from April 24 to June 5).
"Eddie Jones accepted this decision."
Jones will miss four Brave Blossoms games during his suspension:
- May 22: Japan Select v Hong Kong China Select
- May 29: Japan Select v Hong Kong China Select
- June 27: Japan XV v Māori All Blacks
- July 4: Japan v Italy
He will be back for Japan's game against Ireland in Australia on July 11. It is followed by a fixture against France on home turf on July 18.
Jones took charge of England in 2015, and he led the team to its first Grand Slam in 13 years in 2016.
The Australian also took the team to the 2019 World Cup final.
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