Irish Daily Mail

Scottish rugby voices its outrage in aftermath of Jones’ abuse by fans

- DUNCAN BECH

SCOTLAND great Scott Hastings has demanded that the fans who directed verbal and physical abuse at Eddie Jones are dealt with by the police. Jones revealed on Wednesday that he feared for his safety while catching a train from Edinburgh to Manchester on the morning after England’s Calcutta Cup defeat at Murrayfiel­d. The Australian travelled alone via standard class to be a guest of Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, before receiving similar treatment at the hands of football fans on the final leg of his journey from Manchester to London. Video footage shot in Manchester and obtained by the BBC’s Dan Roan shows Jones (right) posing for selfies with Scotland supporters, who then turn on him. One calls him a ‘baldy **** ” as he is ushered into a car. Following a separate incident, British Transport Police are investigat­ing a report of verbal abuse against Jones after officers were sent to meet his train as it arrived into London Euston on Sunday evening. ‘I am really upset about this. These despicable idiots are a disgrace. We need to find them, name & shame them & fine them for public disorder & harassment,’ Hastings tweeted. ‘I am really upset about this. Disgusting behaviour from a bunch of drunk idiots.’ Scottish Rugby offered strong condemnati­on upon seeing the footage which has been widely circulated on social media, while former British and Irish Lion John Beattie has apologised to Jones, tweeting ‘so sorry’. Jones has resolved not to use public transport again following the experience and is frustrated given his willingnes­s to engage with supporters. ‘I’m a human being. I don’t consider myself any different from anyone else, so for me to travel on public transport I thought was OK. But I won’t in future. It’s as simple as that,’ said Jones.

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Ireland