Police investigating homophobic tweets sent to rugby referee Nigel Owens
Police are investigating anti-gay tweets sent to out rugby referee Nigel Owens after a Six Nations match.
The openly gay Welsh referee challenged homophobic messages he received after yesterday’s Six Nations England v France game.
A rugby fan had tweeted at him: “Your a gay **** awful performance against france tonight, how did england top Wales?”
Hundreds of people shared the referee’s message when he drew attention to the homophobia and threatened to report the matter.
Fans have previously been banned from stadium for two years for shouting homophobic abuse at Mr Owens.
@edrydJames you want me to report this homophobic tweet do you???
— Nigel Owens (@Nigelrefowens) March 21, 2015
South Wales Police later tweeted to confirm they were looking in to the messages, writing: “Thank you for advising @swpolice about the comments made by @edrydJames the matter is being investigated. Kind regards SWP”.
Thank you for advising @swpolice about the comments made by @edrydJames the matter is being investigated. Kind regards SWP
— South Wales Police (@swpolice) March 21, 2015
A police spokesman said: “Dyfed Powys Police have launched an investigation into alleged homophobic remarks posted on Twitter which were directed towards rugby referee Nigel Owens, following his refereeing of the England v France rugby international at Twickenham on Saturday.
“This follows a number of complaints made by members of the public. The Tweet concerned has now been removed from the page. The investigation is at an early stage.”
