Rugby World Cup final referee Wayne Barnes wants those responsible for abusing him and his family on social media punished.
Englishman Barnes was subjected to death threats after South Africa's 12-11 win over the All Blacks in the tournament final at Paris, and has told the BBC the threats he received "crossed a line", with online abuse is only getting worse.
"When people make threats against your wife and kids, they should be held to account and punished," he said. "Threats of sexual violence, threats of saying we know where you live... it crosses that line.
"Social media is getting worse and it's the sad thing about the sport at the moment."
Barnes retired days after refereeing in his fifth Rugby World Cup and first-ever final, planning to spend more time with his family.
He finished as the most experienced referee in international rugby history, after of 111 tests in a career spanning 20 years, but he won't be lost to the sport. He plans to work with the international rugby match officials to support referees across the world, particularly against online abuse.
The Englishman is already demanding governing bodies step in and penalties handed out to those that abuse match officials on social media.
"If you're a fan at your local rugby club, and you're sending vile messages to people's families and making threats, why should you be able to be involved in the rugby family?" he told the BBC. "The bit I've always struggled with and will continue to struggle with is when that abuse comes to my family.
"I want prosecuting agencies to consider ways of doing that, I want legislation of what social media sites can do to prevent it and I also want governing bodies to consider what they can do."
Referee and athlete abuse is a problem across the world in many different sports.
Earlier this year, English football referee Anthony Taylor and his family were confronted by angry fans at the airport after he officiated the Europa League final. Barnes admits watching footage of the incident was hard.
"People don't see the human side of refereeing," he said. "They think we are the man or woman who turn up on a Saturday afternoon who ruin their day, but we are actually human beings with families and kids, and to see Anthony on that day absolutely broke me.
"People in positions of responsibility have to realise our actions have consequences. You can't pick up your phone and abuse people - we need to be better."
This month, Barnes launches his autobiography Throwing the Book, which describes the abuse he has received in the past and almost led him to quitting as a referee on several occasions.
