The Italian Rugby Federation has confirmed it will appeal the two-Test suspension handed to head coach Gonzalo Quesada by World Rugby, following comments he made after Italy's 47-17 Nations Championship defeat to New Zealand in Wellington on 11 July.
Quesada becomes the first coach sanctioned under World Rugby's new Match Official Abuse Sanction Process, introduced at the recent Shape of the Game forum and effective from this month across all international fixtures involving World Rugby-appointed officials. The ban covers all match-day activity, including stadium attendance, meaning Quesada will be absent for Italy's upcoming Test against the Wallabies and their Nations Championship meeting with the Springboks in August.
The FIR's response was brief and unambiguous: "FIR will appeal the decision."
Under the framework, an independent panel — comprising the judicial panel chair and two experienced members — assesses whether comments made by team personnel allege bias, improper motive, external influence or deliberate intent to affect an outcome, or whether the conduct would objectively undermine public confidence in match officials. Sanctions range from no further action through to a guidance letter, formal warning or automatic suspension.
World Rugby noted that its social media protection programme has demonstrated, since 2023, that a significant proportion of online abuse directed at match officials originates from inaccurate public commentary on refereeing performance by figures in positions of authority.