The television match official from the Rugby World Cup final stepped away from the international game "for the foreseeable future" on Monday, blaming a “torrent of criticism and abuse online." English official Tom Foley made a series of big calls in the title match between New Zealand and South Africa in October in Paris,

Top rugby referee Tom Foley is set to take a break from the international game after receiving a "torrent of abuse" after the World Cup final.

Increasing levels of vitriol including vilification emailed to his children's school has led to decision to focus on club rugby

Experienced referee Tom Foley has announced that he will be stepping away from international rugby after receiving a “torrent of abuse and criticism” after the Rugby World Cup final. Foley was the television match official (TMO) in an all-English officiating team in Paris as South Africa pipped New Zealand to secure back-to-back World Cup crowns.

Foley was television match official for that showpiece fixture between South Africa and New Zealand in Paris, which the Springboks won 12-11 and the All Blacks had skipper Sam Cane sent off.

The 38-year-old said ‘now feels the right time to take a break’ from internationals but will continue to referee Premiership matches

Match official Tom Foley will take a break from international rugby because of the "torrent of abuse" he received after the World Cup final.

English rugby referee Tom Foley has decided to step away from international match officiating for the foreseeable future, citing online abuse as a major reason on Monday. Foley was the Television Match Official at this year's Rugby World Cup final in France when South Africa defeated New Zealand 12-11,

Referee Tom Foley will take a step back from officiating international rugby after receiving a “torrent of criticism and abuse” after the Rugby World Cup final.