The Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) announced on April 23 that it had suspended head coach Eddie Jones for four matches and reduced his pay due to his abuse of local refereeing officials during a tour of Australia.
The 66-year-old Australian-born coach violated JRFU's code of ethics and discipline while leading Japan's Under-23 team in Australia from April 1 to 15. The JRFU stated that the measures relate to Jones' abuse of home-ground match officials.
The JRFU confirmed that Jones accepted the disciplinary decision. In a statement, Jones said: "I acknowledge the JRFU disciplinary action relating to the Japan U23 tour of Australia. Some inappropriate comments I made caused distress to the local match officials and other stakeholders. I offer my sincere apologies to everyone. I deeply regret my actions and words, and will do my utmost to ensure this does not happen again."
Jones will miss Japan's opening Nations Championship match against Italy in Tokyo on July 4. He is also barred from any involvement in two matches between a Japan Select side and Hong Kong on May 22 and May 29. Additionally, he is prohibited from coaching the Japan XV against the Maori All Blacks on June 27 in Nagoya, as well as the national team's Nations Championship match against Italy.
The suspension runs for six weeks, from April 24 to June 5.
