Safe to say English referee Wayne Barnes is not the most popular official with a lot of rugby fans - particularly Irish ones.
He was trending on Twitter for all the
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His comments yesterday about the upcoming Rugby World Cup have done nothing to help his popularity.
An Irish fan was quick to respond, and he wasn’t the only one unsurprised by what Barnes said.
@richardmoore73 to be fair he's supporting English club sides with years. Ask any irish province.
— Derek Troy (@flammecast) June 3, 2015
@williamp51 he's supposed to be impartial
— Richard Moore (@richardmoore73) June 3, 2015
More rugby fans took the referee’s side, arguing it was only natural an Englishman would support his country and, as he wouldn’t be put in charge of games involving his own country, it was irrelevant.
@richardmoore73 @williamp51 he won't be refereeing England so what's the issue? It's why international refs are from neutral countries.
— Mark Gray (@saintlymark) June 3, 2015
@richardmoore73 As will Nigel Owens ( prob RWC final ref) with Wales. But their professional integrity will ensure there is no conflict.
— Paul Musgrave (@Muzzdobetter) June 4, 2015
They may have a point, but we can’t see Nigel Owens being drawn to make a similar remark about Wales, no matter how he feels.
Either way, if Barnes gives a performance that annoys opposing fans during the tournament this Autumn, this quote is guaranteed to be used against him.