The Australian Rugby Union has fined Jacques Potgieter Aus$20,000, with Aus$10,000 suspended, after the New South Wales Waratahs back-rower admitted making comments contrary to the Australian Rugby Union's Inclusion Policy. Potgieter's penalty relates to a breach of the ARU Code of Conduct, which prohibits homophobic or racist comments. He will also be required to undergo additional educational and awareness training.
Brumbies star David Pocock twice alleged to referee Craig Joubert that a homophobic slur had been used towards his team during their 28-13 loss to the NSW Waratahs at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, and the sanction was determined following an investigation by the ARU Integrity Unit, after SANZAR had referred the matter to the union late on Monday afternoon. The incident follows the endorsement of an ARU Inclusion Policy in August 2014, which is designed to stamp out all forms of discrimination and homophobia in Rugby.
Potgieter expressed remorse over the incident, saying he was "very sorry for any offence caused by what I said on the field during a heated encounter".
"It was an offhand remark made without thought for the hurt it could cause to those around me," Potgieter said.
ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said in announcing the penalty that ""Comments of this nature cannot be tolerated".
"We take the issue of homophobia in sport seriously and want to provide a positive environment for everyone involved in rugby," Pulver said. "Our Inclusion Policy reinforces Australian rugby's commitment to ensure every individual, whether they're players, supporters, coaches or administrators, feel safe, welcome and included regardless of race, gender or sexuality. I'd like to stress again that there is absolutely no place for homophobia or any form of discrimination in our game and our actions and words on and off the field must reflect that."
The ARU, Waratahs, the Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) and the player himself, have determined that the matter does not need to be heard by a Tribunal and accepted this penalty.
Waratahs Rugby chief executive Greg Harris said that Potgieter had "made an error in judgement, despite having completed the ARU's Integrity Training, which includes the Member Protection Policy around Inclusion and Racism".
"Our players have been educated around the importance of respect and integrity on the field, and this incident was directly in conflict to these values," Harris said. "There is no place for homophobia or any form of discrimination in our game and we have endeavoured as a club to embody these values on and off the field. We pride ourselves on a strong culture, and this incident is by no means definitive of our collective identity as a football club."