Rugby player Owen Farrell recently faced online abuse during a Champions Cup opener game in Pretoria, which highlights the need for a cultural transformation in rugby both on and off the field, and regulation of online platforms. The incident underscores the pressing necessity for respecting players’ mental health and dignity and supporting athletes as humans first. David Flatman, a former England prop and commentator, spoke out against the cruelty, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging players’ personal battles and advocating for a return to the central ethos of respect and sportsmanship that underpins the game.
