SPAIN narrowly missed out on automatic qualification for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in highly controversial circumstances after losing 18-10 to Belgium.
Instead Romania finished second behind Georgia in the Rugby Europe Championship, with ugly scenes marring the encounter after the full-time whistle in Brussels.
Santiago Santos’ side were infuriated with ROMANIAN referee Vlad Iordachescu, with players surrounding the official as coaching staff tried to restrain the squad.
The referee had to be escorted off the Little Heysel pitch, with Spain angered by a number of his decisions as well as the exuberant celebrations from the jubilant Belgium squad.
Spain just needed a win to secure their place in the Rugby World Cup for the first time since 1999, but finished just a point below Romania.
The Lions were heavy favourites to ease past Belgium after cruising to a 30-0 win in Madrid back in 2017, but failed to settle against Guillaume Ajac’s men, who were 12-0 up at half-time.
Spanish rugby federation president Alfonso Feijoo tweeted his disgust at the referee shortly after the contest.
He said: “Everyone who has seen the game will judge the referee. He gave 10 penalties against us, the result comes from that.”
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Jaime Nava, captain of Spain, said: “I don’t want to think that rugby has been prostituted to leave us out.
“When we were assigned the Romanian referees, we were shocked, but this is rugby, values are presupposed.”
He then offered his apologies to the ref for his side’s actions, adding: “I am captain and I apologise for the persecution of the referee.
“That final image does not correspond to the sport or the values of this team. It must be understood that part of this dream has been taken away from us.”
Spain still have a chance at World Cup qualification, where they must beat Portugal in a playoff, then overcome a two-legged tie against Samoa for a spot in Pool A alongside hosts Japan, Scotland, Romania and Grand Slam champions Ireland.
Failure to beat Samoa would leave Santos’ men to be involved in a four-team repechage in November in a last attempt for qualification.
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