Thread by @willgkelleher

Rassie Erasmus verdict IS IN

🔥 GUILTY on six charges

🔥 SARU on two

❌ Rassie banned from all rugby (coaching, media etc) for 2 months

❌ Rassie banned from match-days for 10 months (Sept 2022)

❌ SARU fined £20,000

They can appeal...

#SouthAfrica #rugby

6 charges

🚫 Threatened that he'd release video footage if refs didn't meet him. Then did.

🚫 Attacked, disparaged refs/the game

🚫 Didn't accept officials' authority

🚫 Publicised criticism of officials

🚫 Helped impair public confidence in officials

🚫 Game into disrepute

2 charges against @Springboks

🚫 Didn't stop Rassie, or publicly correct him

🚫 Allowed Kolisi/Stick to double down on the comments on the Friday + didn't admonish them either

Nuggets from the 80-page verdict...

Russel Belter, from 'WildCam TV' produced the video, put it on Vimeo with no password protection.

Erasmus only sent it to Joe Schmidt, Joel Jutge, Jacques Nienaber, Jurie Roux & Nic Berry + shared with Boks squad on WhatsApp

#RassieRant

A TV company wanted to broadcast the whole Rassie trial - denied

Panel noted constant references to SuperSport, Rassie acting as not part of Boks etc, as reason to believe it was prepared for 'wider public dissemination in mind'

#RassieRant

Rassie told Berry
“just a heads up from our side!! We feel the pressure the lions attempted to put on your team of 4 through media did actually work well for them!! While we will be doing the same this week I think you will note that ours is more factual and honest!!”
#RassieRant

Panel think Rassie threatened Berry by saying “This will not get into the media – just have a chat to me tonight”

I.e. talk to me, or else...

Panel believe Rassie allowed it to be made public

#RassieRant

Rassie sent 36 clips to Berry, with commentary. He wanted to meet him, but that was denied. He chased Berry, and asked Jaco Peyper to help sort a meeting

Panel's view of the video 'it lacked perspective,
impartial analysis or balance. In places it is sarcastic.'

#RassieRant

Panel continued 'there is a difference between feedback and abuse. This video was not feedback, properly understood. It was an ad hominem attack,
which lacked detached analysis or balance.'

#RassieRant

Berry said: 'the public attack on my integrity & character is not something that should be tolerated in any workplace. Due to the actions of Mr Erasmus, my family and I have endured a significant amount of distress and we will only have negative memories of the whole experience.'

Berry also said Rassie had 'engaged in a character assassination of me on social media' and caused 'immeasurable damage'.

'My reputation as a referee will forever be tarnished'

'His actions are against everything the game stands for'

#RassieRant

Rassie must issue a full public apology to the match officials from the series.

#RassieRant