Another slap on the wrist for testicles grabber
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Stade Francais Paris flank Charlie Rorke has been given a proverbial slap on the wrist – a two-week ban.
The follows an arising from his club’s Challenge Cup Round One match against Benetton at Stade Jean Bouin this past weekend.
Rorke was issued with a red card by the referee, Ben Blain (Scotland), in the 44th minute of the match for grabbing the testicles of the Benetton wing Leonardo Sarto – in contravention of Law 9.27.
Law 9.27: A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.27 relating to grabbing the testicles of an opponent, has the following sanction entry points – Low End: 12 weeks; Mid-range: 18 weeks; Top end: 24 to 104 weeks.
The disciplinary committee – comprising Samantha Hillas (England – Chairperson), Frank Hadden (Scotland) and Antony Wheat (England) – heard evidence and submissions by video conference from the player, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, from the Stade Francais Paris Chief Executive, Thomas Lombard, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
The committee found that the red card was warranted.
However, it decided that Rorke was guilty of a different offence – coming under Law 9.11.
Law 9.11: Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.11 has the following sanction entry points – Low End: two weeks; Mid-range: six weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.
The committee then determined that the act of foul play was at the low-end of World Rugby’s sanctions and selected two weeks as the appropriate entry point.
As there was insufficient mitigation to warrant any reduction to the entry point, a two-week suspension was imposed.
Rorke is free to play on Monday, December 28.
He and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
(Continue below video with Sarto hearing …)
Leonardo Sarto suspended for one week
The Benetton wing Leonardo Sarto has been suspended for one week following a disciplinary hearing.
His hearing arose from the same incident.
Sarto was issued with a red card by the referee, Ben Blain (Scotland), for striking Rorke in the neck and head area in retaliation to the Australian grabbing his testicles.
This was in contravention of Law 9.12: Punching or striking
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12 relating to punching or striking with hand or arm, has the following sanction entry points – Low End: two weeks; Mid-range: six weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.
The same disciplinary committee heard evidence and submissions by video conference from the player, who pleaded guilty to foul play, from the Benetton representative Marius Goosen and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
The committee found that the red card was warranted.
However, it decided that Sarto was guilty of a different offence – also Law 9.11.
The committee then determined that the act of foul play was at the low-end of World Rugby’s sanctions and selected two weeks as the appropriate entry point.
Taking into account the player’s guilty plea and clear disciplinary record, the committee reduced the sanction by the maximum of 50 percent, before imposing a one-week suspension.
Sarto is free to play on Monday, December 21.
He and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
Hans N’Kinsi suspended for six weeks
The Castres Olympique second row Hans N’Kinsi has been suspended for six weeks.
His hearing arose arising from his club’s Challenge Cup, Round One match against Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.
N’Kinsi was cited by the match citing commissioner Dana Teagarden (Germany), for stamping on the hand of the Ospreys scrumhalf, Shaun Venter in the 34th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12.
Law 9.12: Stamping
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12 relating to stamping carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: two weeks; Mid-range: six weeks; Top end: 12 to 52 weeks.
The independent disciplinary committee – comprising Kathrine Mackie (Scotland – chairperson), Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Mitchell Read (England) – heard the case by video conference and considered submissions and evidence from the player, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, from the Castres Olympique Managing Director, Matthias Rolland, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
The Committee upheld the citing complaint, finding that N’Kinsi had intentionally stamped on Venter’s hand, and decided that the offence was in the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions.
Six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point and while there were no aggravating factors, the Committee decided that due to the player’s plea, his prior disciplinary record and his lack of remorse, there were no mitigating factors.
A suspension of six weeks was imposed and N’Kinsi is free to play on Monday, January 21.
Both he and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
