VIDEO: France's World Cup win over Ireland marred by biting incident
VIDEO: France’s dramatic 18-13 comeback win over Ireland in the Women’s World Cup quarterfinal has been overshadowed by controversy as footage of an ugly incident involving a French and an Irish player does the rounds on social media.
Footage appears to show French back-rower Axelle Berthoumieu biting the arm of Aoife Wafer in the final play of the match.
With the game still in the balance at Sandy Park, Wafer was competing for a turnover when Berthoumieu appeared to clamp down on her forearm in a ruck.
The officials did not report the alleged incident at the time, but it is now widely circulating on social media, with one X user labeling it “disgusting”.
Berthoumieu is almost certain to face a citing and, if found guilty, will receive a lengthy suspension that would rule her out of the remainder of the tournament at the very least.
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“We’ve literally just stepped off the pitch,” Ireland Women’s head coach Scott Bemand told reporters after the game. “If there are any bits to pick up, we’ll pick them up in the next hour.
“I think in terms of process, your on-pitch leadership would mention to the referee. Then it’s up to the team officials to deal with it, should they see fit at that point.
“At the moment, I haven’t seen anything. I’ve literally just stepped in here.”
France co-coach Gaëlle Mignot said she had not seen the footage of the alleged bite, explaining her side had been celebrating in the changing rooms and would wait to see what happens.
It was a cruel end for Ireland, who looked to be in command after surging into a 13-0 half-time lead, only to watch France storm back to snatch a place in the last four.
The result ends Ireland’s hopes of a second-ever World Cup semifinal appearance and leaves them to reflect on a squandered opportunity. France, meanwhile, marches into the last four but faces the very real prospect of losing Berthoumieu for the rest of the tournament as the disciplinary process looms.
