Former England boss Eddie Jones has been fined and suspended as head coach of Japan for abusing match officials during an under-23 tour of Australia last month.<\/p>\n
The Japanese Rugby Football Union (JRFU) says that because of the “seriousness of the matter” and the contents of their contract with Jones, the 66-year-old has been stood down from his post for six weeks and banned from having any part in the Brave Blossoms’ next four matches.<\/p>\n
Jones will miss his team’s opening Nations Championship match against Italy on 4 July, as well as two matches against a Hong Kong China Select side and a warm-up fixture with the Maori All Blacks.<\/p>\n
The JRFU added that it had also imposed a salary reduction on Jones.<\/p>\n
Jones, 66, said he accepted his punishment and “deeply regretted” his behaviour.<\/p>\n
“Some inappropriate remarks that I made caused discomfort to local match officials and other related parties,” the Australian added.<\/p>\n
“I would like to offer my sincere apologies to everyone involved.”<\/p>\n
Japan’s under-23 team returned from the tour with three wins from four games, including a 38-21 victory over Jones’ old Sydney club side Randwick in their final match.<\/p>\n
It is not the first time that Jones, who oversaw the Wallabies’ pool-stage exit from the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, has been involved in incidents on his return to his home country.<\/p>\n