The international match between Argentina and England, played at the Bicentenario stadium in San Juan on 12 July and won narrowly by England (17-22), was marred by racist abuse. In a statement, World Rugby says it received an official complaint from the English union (RFU) three days after the match, reporting abuse shouted from the stands by spectators and aimed at England players.

The governing body of world rugby immediately opened an investigation with the help of the Argentine union and the local authorities to try to trace the “small group of 5 to 7 individuals” suspected of hurling the racist abuse. In vain.

The perpetrators could not be identified

“It is clear that an incident took place, but we regret that the individuals responsible could not be identified” reads World Rugby’s statement, whose chairman Brett Robinson adds: “Rugby condemns discrimination in all its forms. We offer our full support to the players affected and assure them that rugby stands alongside them in opposing racism”.

Gabriel Travaglini, president of the Argentine rugby union (UAR), also firmly condemned the incident and said his body “will continue to work in close collaboration with World Rugby to educate supporters and eradicate this kind of behaviour in the future”.