Nine employee faces five-year ban for calling Eddie Jones a ‘traitor’

The Nine employee who branded England coach Eddie Jones a ‘traitor’ is looking at a lengthy ban from Wallabies games.

England coach Eddie Jones reacts to a spectator who called him a traitor

Rugby Australia is considering a hefty five-year ban for a Nine employee who abused England coach Eddie Jones.

The Australian understands that the Rugby Australia is looking to ban the Nine sales executive James Paton from rugby events for several years after he sledged the former Wallabies coach at the SCG on Saturday night and dubbed him a “traitor”.

A man allegedly caught urinating from the top of the SCG’s O’Reilly Stand on Saturday night has already been banned for life from Wallabies Test matches by RA.

When contacted by The Australian, RA chair Hamish McLennan said fans who misbehave at a Wallabies game will endure tough punishments.

“We had approximately 140,000 through the gates (for the England series) who were impeccably well behaved and had a great time. Roughly three people misbehaved at the final Test and we will take a hard line in dealing with them,” McLennan said.

Nine, who Paton works for, is Rugby Australia’s official broadcast partner.

In the video, Paton is seen standing behind a sideline barricade at the SCG during the third Test of the Wallabies’ series with England, shouting at coach Eddie Jones. England had just won 21-15.

In the clip, a man can be heard saying to Paton: “Spray him.”

Paton is then filmed pointing at Jones and shouting: “You’re a traitor.”

Jones then immediately lunged towards Paton, pointing and shouting at him, and attempting to push past ground security to get to the Nine employee.

“What did you say? What did you say?” Jones said. “Come here and say it. Come here and say it. Come here and say it.”

A security official then says to Paton: “I’ve spoken to you before, walk away.”

Paton is understood to have apologised to Jones since.

Paton is yet to comment publicly and his SCG membership could also be suspended.

Since the incident, 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham called his Nine colleague an “idiot” on air.

“There was mixed feedback about the incident on the air yesterday with some saying Eddie Jones overreacted, and he probably did,” Fordham said. “He probably would’ve been wise just to move on because you hear all sorts of crazy things at the football.

“But that doesn’t excuse the actions of the idiot who called him a traitor because it’s one of those highly charged words.”

Fordham also said: “If you’re a proud Australian, you’re not going to want to hear someone calling you a traitor and that’s why I called the fan an idiot yesterday, and on this occasion we need to own the fact that the idiot works for us.”

On Monday, Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos slammed Paton’s actions.

“The offensive remarks made by spectators in the members’ areas towards England staff were unacceptable — and not representative of the values of rugby,” Marinos said.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behaviour … rugby prides itself on values of respect and integrity. Please, cheer for your team with all that you have. But please, always show respect for others.”