A disabled man was subjected to a tirade of foul language and sexual abuse by drunk rugby fans at the Wales v New Zealand match at the Principality Stadium. Robin Hindle-Fisher, who has short arms caused by thalidomide, asked the group to stop standing and blocking people's view of the game, which led to the abuse.
His niece, Beth Fisher, a former Wales hockey player and BBC sport journalist, said the experience was the most horrible feeling she has ever had at any public event. She said that while she has noticed a growing drinking culture at rugby matches over the past eight years, this incident has put her off returning to the sport.
Geraint Evans, a chartered surveyor who witnessed the abuse, described it as obscene and mostly of a sexual nature concerning Mr Hindle-Fisher's disability. He wrote a letter of complaint to Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chairman Gareth Davies. Mr Evans noted that the men consumed eight pints of beer each during the first half and left after about 65 minutes of the match.
A complaint was made to a steward at half-time, but as the steward had not witnessed the abuse, the men could not be removed. Mr Evans said the WRU had a responsibility not to serve alcohol to visibly drunk people but stressed that the main concern was the disgraceful abuse of a woman and a disabled man.
Simon Green, a coordinator with the Disability Hate Crime Network, said abusing an individual in that way is a criminal offence and noted that people have been prosecuted for less. Another fan, Christopher George, also wrote to the WRU after being abused for asking a group to stop swearing, saying such individuals show no interest in the game and treat it as an opportunity to get drunk.
A WRU spokeswoman said they are legally bound not to serve people who appear intoxicated and employ ex-police licensing officers to enforce this. Stewards will remove supporters who are intoxicated or causing disruption, and the WRU will investigate the complaint.
