UPDATE: Punishment for Spencer?
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Leicester Tigers lock WIll Spencer has been suspended following the controversial red card during the defeat to Wasps.
Spencer was handed a red card during the match between Leicester Tigers and Wasps in the 40th minute.
Referee Ian Tempest opted to hand the 26-year-old the straight red for what he deemed as a dangerous tackle on Wasps’ Tommy Taylor contrary to law 9.13.
Spencer received a four-week suspension after he appeared before an independent disciplinary panel, chaired by Euan Ambrose with John Doubleday and Mike Curling.
Panel chair Euan Ambrose said: “The panel considered carefully the oral evidence of the player, the written evidence of Tommy Taylor and the Wasps’ medical report, alongside the video footage and found on the balance of probabilities that this was a reckless tackle that resulted in direct, forceful contact to the head of Tommy Taylor.
“The panel rejected the player’s evidence that any contact with the opposition player had been limited to the top of his shoulder with no contact being made to his head. Given that finding, the mandatory mid-range entry point was applied. The player was given credit for his previous clear record, his conduct both at the hearing and his acceptance of the on-field decision and his off-field references which reduced the sanction to 4 weeks,”
The 26-year-old is free to play October 16, which means he will miss Leicester Tigers’ matches against Worcester Warriors, Sale Sharks and Northampton Saints.
Spencer’s straight red card has divided the rugby fraternity.
Leicester Tigers coach Geordan Murphy revealed that that rugby “gone a little bit too PC” [politically correct] and touched on the fact that Spencer is extremely tall and struggled to get down that low to make a legal tackle.
Murphy also suggested that his ‘solution’ will be to pick players under five foot, which will make it very difficult to referee.
On the other hand Wasps coach, Dai Young had sympathy for Spencer but felt it was the correct call.
“We’ve had the directive that any tackle direct to the head is a red card. It’s harsh and I’d have been disappointed if it was on our side, but I totally understand.
“I don’t think it’s something the referee should be criticised for. If it was a yellow card I wouldn’t have complained about it. I hope the player doesn’t get banned for it. It’s difficult to get that 100 per cent right every time.
“We have to protect the players. The guys who are saying the game’s gone soft are guys who are not out there,” he said.
