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Rugby referee Nigel Owens believes soccer can follow the sport's lead in certain respects. David Davies

Rugby referee Nigel Owens on 'the one issue that soccer needs to address'

The sport has been continually criticised, with players and officials consistently coming under the spotlight.

RUGBY REFEREE NIGEL Owens believes soccer must follow his sport’s lead in terms of the levels of respect between players and officials.

Soccer has been continually criticised, with players and officials consistently coming under the spotlight owing to a series of unsavoury incidents, most notably during the PSG and Chelsea clash recently, when several of the latter’s players surrounded the referee prior to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s red card.

Speaking on Game On, Owens, who officiated the game between France and England at the weekend, said that respect between players and officials was the “one issue that soccer needs to address,” adding:

“It’s not acceptable really, because football, more than any other sport in the world, has a bigger influence on society and everyday life and young children’s lives, in looking up to their heroes than any sport in the world, and it has the duty to show that respect.”

He conceded though that in addition to soccer’s problems, rugby was also far from flawless.

“Rugby can’t take the moral high ground on soccer, because there are things in rugby that we need to do better.

“Certainly the respect in rugby is there and it needs to be maintained and kept, as it’s an integral part of the whole game. There’s no doubt about that.”

What do you think? Can soccer learn from rugby? Let us know in the comments section below.

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42 Comments
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    Mute Michael Corkery
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    Jan 31st 2025, 6:26 AM

    Really tight between IRL and FRA but I’m going for IRL based on home advantage in the head to head. GS to boot.

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    Mute cian nolan
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    Jan 31st 2025, 8:32 AM

    Ireland. Slam. Sláinte.

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    Mute jajosullivan@aol.com
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    Jan 31st 2025, 8:11 AM

    A brief dip in form in the Autumn after 4 years of constant top quality rugby Inc summer Lions, NZ, SA tours but everyone is now fit and playing well. Competition for position with options left out of the squad if required for injuries. Nothing is certain but we are in a great position.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jan 31st 2025, 10:38 AM

    France.

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    Mute Noel Lynn
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    Jan 31st 2025, 11:02 AM

    @Carmine Lorenzo: Oh u of little faith

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jan 31st 2025, 3:29 PM

    @Noel Lynn: Just being realistic. They have Dupont and Ntamack back. We were poor in the autumn. Faz isn’t here… Wouldn’t be surprised if we were 3rd or 4th. But hopefully I’m wrong!

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    Mute Seanie
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    Jan 31st 2025, 3:45 PM

    @Carmine Lorenzo: ray ridge is effecting you lol but ya i hope your wrong too but france will be fave’s

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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    Jan 31st 2025, 10:28 AM

    Ireland, but I would have preferred Andy in the driving seat!!

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    Mute Luke mc govern
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    Jan 31st 2025, 12:13 PM

    With Dupont and Ntamack together again I just think they’ll be too strong.

    I don’t Ireland will change things up too much with Farrell out and it feels like other teams have managed to counter our attack to some extent. Maybe the new direct around kick chaser will help though as I feel Ireland are good under the auld box kick

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    Mute Michael Corkery
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    Jan 31st 2025, 1:06 PM

    @Luke mc govern: we’ve beaten them before with Dupont and N’tamak. Yes they’ll be much stronger than the team we trashed in Marseille but I still just about fancy us.

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    Mute Seanie
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    Jan 31st 2025, 3:47 PM

    @Luke mc govern: Yes ireland need to try few different things if they cant break teams down like kicking more

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    Mute Seanie
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    Jan 31st 2025, 3:44 PM

    Ireland

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