World body to investigate Spanish complaint over referee

LONDON: World Rugby said Monday they will seek explanations why a Romanian referee was chosen to officiate Belgium’s World Cup qualifying win over Spain that put Romania into next year’s World Cup.

At the end of their 18-10 loss in Brussels, Spanish players pursued referee Vlad Iordachescu, who had to be escorted off the pitch.

Victory would have seen Spain qualify for just a second World Cup in their history.

Instead, Romania qualified directly for the showpiece in Japan, while Spain have to win two playoffs, first against Portugal, and then a two-legged tie with Samoa if they are to qualify.

The Spanish Rugby Federation said on Sunday that they had lodged a formal complaint to Rugby Europe and World Rugby.

“While World Rugby does not appoint match officials for the Rugby Europe Championship, it is in contact with Rugby Europe to understand the context of events relating to the Belgium v Spain match in Brussels on Sunday, which doubled as an important RWC 2019 qualifier,” World Rugby said in a statement.

Rugby Europe said they will wait for a supervisor’s report on the match before taking any further action.

“Rugby Europe Selection Committee is waiting for the assessment report of the Supervisor for Belgium v Spain Match officials,” read a Rugby Europe statement.

“In addition, this Committee will meet in Poznan next Friday on the occasion of the Rugby Europe U-18 Championships. Its agenda will be modified and a large portion of the meeting will be devoted to the analysis of every stage of the Belgium v Spain game.

“Following this meeting, a statement will be released to Rugby Europe Board of Directors for dissemination.”

In the immediate aftermath of the match, president of the Spanish Rugby Federation Alfonso Feijoo pinned responsibility for the defeat on the referee.