Rugby-Top referee Foley stands down from international rugby after torrent of abuse

Rugby Union - Premiership - Gloucester Rugby v Leicester Tigers - Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, Britain - September 24, 2021 Referee Tom Foley reacts Action Images/Andrew Boyers/ File photo

(Reuters) - 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, and has previously reported receiving death threats to himself and his family in the wake of that game.