A former WRU referee said that homophobic slurs were used about former referee Nigel Owens and he remained in office with no objections. Owens, 51, retired in 2007 and will stop refereeing Test matches in 2020.

Martin Lewis, a referee who oversaw Welsh Premier League matches and assisted at regional matches until 2016, told the BBC that certain individuals in the WRU were very controlling and described hearing homophobic language from a colleague who repeatedly referred to Owens as a “gay “. . “When office is talked about every day in the union, and it’s not something that’s been said on some odd occasion, it’s said in front of everyone in the company,” Lewis said. “And the fact that you weren’t prosecuted for this really speaks to the culture of people not being confronted. And, frankly speaking, those in high office must, in any case, step down.”

Lewis also told the BBC that he tried to confront the person who made the alleged comment, but the complaint never reached a higher level. He also stated that the recent allegations of sexism and misogyny did not surprise him because the WRU was “run like a bunch of amateurs”. He added: “I would ask anyone who is part of a union to look surprised, and if they were really surprised they wouldn’t walk around with their eyes open.”

Lewis stated that he filed a formal complaint with the WRU in 2016 after his license was revoked. He said he believed it was because he spoke out against a high-ranking colleague. His license was reinstated when a law firm intervened and Mr. Lewis believed that the complaint had not been properly investigated.

“It’s a huge cover-up from society and it’s really disappointing,” he argued. Lewis added that he had already contacted an independent panel set up to investigate WRU culture and behavior and urged others to get involved. The independent panel, chaired by former Court of Appeals Judge Dame Anne Rafferty, began work on Monday, February 13, and Sport Resolutions will announce its composition shortly.

There follows a whirlwind of weeks of serious allegations of sexism, racism and misogyny at the WRU, which led to the resignation of Chief Executive Steve Phillips. The role was taken over by the play’s director, Nigel Walker. The WRU has already encouraged anyone wishing to contribute to contact the panel directly via a dedicated email address. [email protected]

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Additionally, another former WRU employee told the BBC allegations of sexism and said she was “broken” by her time with the union.

In response to the latest allegations, Mr. Walker apologized for the actions, attitudes and behavior described. Walker said: “It is extremely harrowing to hear the experiences these people have had. The behavior described has no place in society, nor in Welsh Rugby Union, nor in Welsh Rugby.

“We sincerely condemn this attitude and behavior. We work hard for equality, diversity and inclusion at WRU, but we also know that we have failed people in the past and in recent history.

“That’s why we decided that independent verification is important. The Rt Hon Dame Anne Rafferty DBE PC has been appointed to chair the Independent Review Panel and her full terms of reference have been published. We welcome this intervention and look forward to your recommendations and the implementation of the necessary changes.

“Finally, it is important for us, currently at WRU, to sincerely apologize for the actions, attitudes and behaviors described. Our performance did not disappoint those affected and we are deeply sorry.”

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