Sonja McLaughlan backed by England and BBC after ‘toxic’ criticism over post-Wales interview left her in tears
ENGLAND RUGBY has defended reporter Sonja McLaughlan after she suffered online abuse over her interview with Owen Farrell.
Following England’s shock defeat to Wales on Saturday, McLaughlan quizzed the captain on his reaction to refereeing decisions and the team’s tendency to give away penalties.
But a spate of horrific insults on social media left her in tears.
The reporter, who has worked for the BBC for over 30 years, wrote online: “Toxic, embarrassing, disgraceful, appalling. Just some of the feedback I’ve had.
“Thanks for using @ sign so it’s all hit home… Now imagine getting inundated with abuse for doing your job.
“In my car crying. Hope you’re happy.”
The rugby community has rallied around McLaughlan, led by the Red Roses and Welsh team.
England Rugby stated on Twitter: “Sonja, we are really sorry to hear this and hope you are ok.
“Abuse for doing your job is not OK and we stand with you. We will see you for the next one. Hold your head high and know you have our support.”
The Welsh Rugby Union tweeted: “We are hugely disappointed and saddened by the social media abuse directed at opposition players and members of the media following the game at the weekend.
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“As a rugby community these individuals have let us all down. This has to stop. It is not acceptable.”
McLaughlan started as a trainee with the BBC and worked her way up to a leading role reporting on rugby union.
The organisation backed their correspondent with a statement that read: “BBC Sport strongly condemns the online abuse experienced by Sonja McLaughlan after the Wales v England match.
“Sonja has long been a key member of our Six Nations team and she absolutely has our full support.”
England’s Six Nations hopes were left in tatters following the 40-24 defeat in Cardiff, having already lost to Scotland earlier in the tournament.
Both the RFU and Six Nations made statements to support McLaughlan, who had also interviewed Eddie Jones, Wayne Pivac and Alun Wyn Jones after the match.
The RFU stated: “Sonja, we are really sorry to hear this and hope you are OK.
“Abuse for doing your job is not OK and we stand with you. We will see you for the next one. Hold your head high and know you have our support.
“Rugby’s core values are Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship. Whether we are fans, players, coaches, referees, volunteers or in the media we are all part of the rugby community.
“We should all aim to hold ourselves to these values of our great game.”
And the official Six Nations Twitter account added: “Sonja, we join with the rest of the rugby community to say that this is not ok.
“Respect is a value of rugby we hold in the highest regard. Abuse of public figures or members of the media on social media or anywhere else is not acceptable.”
A statement from the Welsh Rugby Union: pic.twitter.com/M56D4eJc07
— Welsh Rugby Union(@WelshRugbyUnion) March 1, 2021
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Some viewers had made their discontent with the interview clear.
One online critic complained that McLaughlan had ‘attempted to goad’ Farrell while, in discussing the coverage overall, a number of Wales fans felt their achievement had been overlooked in favour of talk about Pascal Gauzere’s refereeing.
However others disagreed, including one fan pointing out that it would have ‘professionally remiss’ not to ask about the decisions.