Rugby 'snobbery' towards Fifa World Cup controversy is getting crucified online

A social media post by a rugby website taking the high ground over a Fifa World Cup controversy has backfired and become the latest example of rugby’s perceived snobbery over other sports.

The dramatic Fifa World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and the Netherlands ended with a penalty shootout win to the South Americans, who were overly ecstatic with the result of the penalty shootout.

The Argentinians were famously photographed screaming at the Dutch players as they ran past to celebrate reaching the World Cup semi-final.

Rugby website ‘Planet Rugby’ shared the image claiming that the behaviour by the Argentinians would never be seen in rugby.

The post read: “Don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say it… Wouldn’t happen in rugby” along with an image of the moment.

Don't say it
Don't say it
Don't say it…

😬 Wouldn't happen in rugby. https://t.co/hc9h4emvME

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) December 10, 2022

The post has backfired spectacularly however, with many fed up with the perpetual insistence by rugby that it is ‘different’ in a holier-than-thou sense.

Many Twitter users fired up to dispel the myth that rugby supporters can stand on a pedestal and continue to look down on other sports and continue to be self-righetous.

One user wrote: “This rubbish is medieval and has to stop” while another wrote “everything that is wrong with rugby”

Other users raised the fake blood scandal from Harlequins in the Premiership as evidence that rugby has a fair share of unsportsmanlike incidents. The overall response was overwhelming negative.

Do go on… https://t.co/R0C9p5NPej pic.twitter.com/b1rCLkT284

— Alan Ryan ✏️ (@Alotron) December 10, 2022

wouldn't happen in golf either it's because it's a different sport you freak https://t.co/Nx6wSQOb1D

— ??d?m (@adaamjb) December 10, 2022

Rugby snobbery… get a grip https://t.co/WCIhyEgndD

— TheWaspsGuy (@Wasps_Guy) December 10, 2022

Everything that’s wrong with rugby. https://t.co/WxnKv3cfz8

— Gareth Davies (@GD10) December 10, 2022

I love both football and rugby, and I have seen this happen so many times in rugby, as it should. Rugby needs to stop thinking it’s above football, it’s such an exhausting attitude. https://t.co/cMOKXtzOf9

— M (@MWT39_) December 10, 2022

Love rugby, both codes, but this rubbish is medieval & has to stop.

Rugby wants to be like football – which has gotten the Premiership into serious trouble financially – & look down on football at the same time.

That last bit originated in the classism that still pervades union https://t.co/e1CUe1AKgX

— Mike Finn (@mikefinnsports) December 10, 2022

https://t.co/1uCDDgEV84 pic.twitter.com/rsvIpHtcNP

— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) December 10, 2022

Happens all the time in rugby. I wish rugby fans would stop this pretentious attitude they have towards other sports. https://t.co/hMhLqOlcyl

— 🇻🇮Black Phillip🇬🇩 (@JohniFlash) December 10, 2022