Aki set to miss Ireland v France after referee rant
DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Ireland centre Bundee Aki is set to miss the Six Nations opener against France after being omitted from the national squad due to disciplinary reasons.
The 35-year-old will appear before an Independent Disciplinary Committee following a Misconduct Complaint lodged against him under the URC Disciplinary Rules, the tournament organisers confirmed.
“Aki is alleged to have engaged with the match official team on several occasions in a manner that may be deemed a breach of the league’s Disciplinary Rules relating to Misconduct (including Clauses 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3) during the URC Round 10 fixture between Connacht and Leinster.
“The hearing will take place on Wednesday, January 28. Roddy Dunlop KC (Scotland) will chair the committee, with Attie Heyns (South Africa) and Andrea Caranci (Italy) serving as panel members.”
#BREAKING! France star’s career comes to a sad end https://t.co/Gv2AsB1HID
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Although Aki is yet to learn the outcome of the hearing, the IRFU confirmed on Wednesday that he has been omitted from the squad.
“The IRFU does not tolerate any form of disrespect shown towards match officials and does not condone actions that fall below the standards expected of players representing Irish rugby,” the union said in a statement.
“The IRFU is investigating the matter further internally, and no additional comment will be made at this time.”
Aki has been replaced in the squad by Ulster’s uncapped centre Jude Postlethwaite.