England player handed 32 week ban for inappropriate commented to female official

Tuesday, 19 August 2025 at 18:08

byRugby Rucker

Ossett RUFC prop Casey Johnson has been banned from all rugby activity for 32 weeks after hurling an offensive comment at a female referee during one of his club’s matches.

The RFU disciplinary panel found Johnson guilty of “conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and the game”, after he admitted shouting “get your baps out, ref” from the sidelines.

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The incident took place during a match earlier this year, with a hearing held in June. Johnson, who was intoxicated at the time, confessed he had “no real explanation” for the outburst.

“Abhorrent and highly offensive”

The panel labelled the comment as a “top-end” offence, initially handing down a 42-week ban. That was reduced by a third – down to 28 weeks – due to Johnson’s early guilty plea, remorse, and previously clean record. A mandatory four-week uplift was then added for referee abuse, making it 32 weeks in total.

The referee, whose name remains anonymous, told the panel she was “shocked” by the abuse, and that her parents – present at the game – were “heartbroken and angry”.

Apologies – and a warning from friends

According to the hearing, Johnson realised he had crossed a line at the time and had wanted to apologise, but was advised not to by friends because of his drunken state.

A committee member described Johnson as a “positive influence” at the club, but he was still ordered to pay £125 ($285) in costs.

While Johnson admitted shouting the “get your baps out” comment during a line-out, he denied adding “show us your boobs”. The panel ruled it made no difference to the sanction.

“No place in society – or rugby”

The panel was crystal clear in its condemnation:

“It goes without saying that such a phrase shouted to a woman has no place in society, including rugby, and it plainly goes against rugby’s core values.
It has the very real potential to impact on the participation of women in rugby [whether as match official, player, coach or spectator] and cannot and must not be tolerated.”

Johnson is suspended from playing, coaching, and spectating from 1 August 2025 to 13 March 2026. The ban does not include training.

Referee praised for her response

Despite the abuse, the referee continued the match and later praised both clubs for their swift action:

“I was approached by the Ossett coach after the game who told me that he had been made aware by my dad during the game of the nature of the comments that were being made.
The coach profusely apologised and informed me that they had sent someone over during the game to speak to the spectators.
After the game as I was walking to the changing rooms I was approached by the spectators’ friends who apologised on his behalf... and also apologised to both of my parents at the end of the match.
Once changed, I entered the clubhouse and approached the Ossett coach to get the name of the spectator. The coach returned two minutes later with their head coach, who had been watching the game, and the spectator’s name.
The head coach apologised on behalf of the spectator and the club and condemned the spectator’s behaviour and called it unacceptable, ‘disgusting’, and assured me it did not represent the values of the club.”

She added:

“Whilst I don’t condone what happened, and I wouldn’t wish it upon any match official, I am glad that what started off as an uncomfortable and negative experience was made significantly better with the reactions and support that I’ve received both post-match and from people within the refereeing community.”

Panel commends both clubs

The RFU panel concluded by recognising the response from Ossett RUFC and the opposing side, stating:

“Female participation in rugby [whether playing, coaching, refereeing or spectating] is fundamental to the values of rugby union and a vital element of the game.
That participation is put at risk by actions such as those of [Johnson] here and it is the responsibility of everyone involved in rugby to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that such actions are removed from the game.”

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