RFU council member resigns over discriminatory Alphonsi comments

RFU council member Matt Smith resigns after making discriminatory comments about former England international Maggie Alphonsi; World Cup winner Alponsi had criticised his punishment, saying "sexism and misogyny still exist within rugby and must be challenged whenever they occur"

Tuesday 9 June 2026 13:34, UK

Rugby Football Union Council member Matt Smith has resigned over discriminatory online comments he posted about World Cup-winning former England international Maggie Alphonsi.

Smith, the chair of Warwickshire RFU, has stood down from his position and therefore his role as the country's representative on the RFU Council over criticism made on Facebook during France's 48-46 men's Six Nations win over England in March.

In a post which has since been deleted, he questioned what the television pundit, a 74-times-capped England flanker, knew about men's rugby.

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A statement on Warwickshire RFU's website read: "On behalf of Warwickshire RFU, we would like to announce that Matt Smith has resigned from his position as chair of Warwickshire RFU, in light of a recent disciplinary process.

"The board has accepted his resignation and will begin work on finding a replacement chair and RFU Council member in the coming weeks.

"We recognise that this situation has raised important concerns and, as a constituent body, we want to be clear that we take issues of sexism and misogyny seriously.

"Creating a respectful, inclusive environment across our game remains a priority for us all."

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Smith, who accepted the charges against him and reportedly wrote to Alphonsi to apologise, was stripped of the perks of his position - including tickets to England games, free meals and travel expenses - for seven months after a hearing in front of an independent disciplinary panel.

Alphonsi had previously questioned the RFU's punishment, writing on X that the incident "shows sexism and misogyny still exist within rugby and must be challenged whenever they occur.

"Most concerning is that Mr Smith remains in a position of influence. He accepted the incident and apologised for making his views public, but not for holding those views."