A cluster of balloons and a birthday cake, in the shape of a chocolate caterpillar, light up Wayne Barnes’s family home. The most accomplished and most vilified referee in world rugby smiles and points to a silver balloon in the shape of a seven, to confirm the birthday they will celebrate once his son and nine-year-old daughter return home from school for this afternoon’s party.
Barnes and his wife, Polly, can set aside the death threats and venomous warnings they have received since, in his final game as a referee, he took charge of an epic World Cup final in Paris last month. Unhinged people have since promised to burn down the house where we now sit. Some have confirmed the family address while others have emailed Polly directly to warn that she and their children will be attacked or killed.
