365 Sporting Days

Every week I receive an email or 2 detailing the players who find themselves in hot water after the weekend games.  I’ll usually make the odd comment on social media and at times report the result, but the list from the Champions Cup this weekends reads like a charge sheet in a Magistrates Court at the least!  So, I thought I’d share the villains and their ‘crimes’

First up we have Viktor Kolelishvili of Clermont Auvergne – this one is going to come as no surprise as his push in referee Wayne Barnes has been plastered all over social media since it happened!  Laying hands on an official is a big no, no in most sports, this time Barnes merely ‘had a word’ and awarded a penalty in Opsrey’s favour.  When you look at the Law Kolelishvili is being cited under you can see he could be in deep water!  Look at the Top End punishment!

Law 10.4 (m) Physical abuse of match officials
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (m), Physical abuse of match officials, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 24 weeks; Mid-Range: 48 weeks; Top End: 96 weeks to life

Next up – Tim Swinson of Glasgow Warriors – Swinson is ‘alleged’ to have punched Mike Hayward in the match against Northampton Saints.  I’d have said the fact he received a yellow card from Romain Poite on the day suggests its a probable rather than a possible.  The law covering the punch –

Law 10.4 (a) Striking with a hand, arm or fist
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (a), Striking with a hand, arm or fist, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-Range: 5 weeks; Top End: 8 to 52 weeks.

3rd on the list is Ryan Wilson another Glasgow Warriors man – I can only presume this was an ill tempered affair – this one’s an unusual one than goodness!  He’s alleged to have grabbed Lee Dixon’s testicles in the 25th minute of the match!  There is specific law for that one too! The low end is major!  Look at the top end!

Law 10.4 (m) Testicle grabbing or twisting or squeezing
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (m), Testicle grabbing or twisting or squeezing carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 12 weeks; Mid-Range: 18 weeks; Top End: 24 to 208 weeks.

Next up is Chris Ashton of Saracens another incident that has raised some discussion online.  I was at this game and said at the time he should have seen yellow (and yes I am a Saracens fan)  He is alleged to have made contact with Luke Marshall of Ulster Rugby’s eye area as he was pulling him out of a ruck.  Again, a penalty was given but no card.  This is another law with major consequences if found guilty.

Law 10.4 (m) Contact with the eye(s) and/or eye area
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (m), Contact with the eye(s) and/or eye area carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 12 weeks; Mid-Range: 18 weeks; Top End: 24 to 208 weeks.

The list continues with T Rhys Thomas of Newport Gwent Dragons – he’s alleged to have bitten Thomas Caballero of Castres Olympique in the 67th minute! You can probably see by now why I felt the need to put fingers to keyboard!  The law for this one

Law 10.4 (m) Biting
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (m), Biting, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 12 weeks; Mid-Range: 18 weeks; Top End: 24 to 208 weeks.

Last but not least is Alexandre Bias of Castres Olympiques – the one player on the list who did see a red card for a dangerous tackle on Phil Price of Newport Gwent Dragons.  Clearly a serious offence – but very different to the others listed above.  The law here –

Law 10.4 (e) Dangerous tackling of an opponent
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (e), Dangerous tackling of an Opponent, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-Range: 6 weeks; Top End: 10 to 52 weeks.

The Citing Officers have had a busy couple of days as will the various independent Judicial Officers.  It’s going to be very interesting to see who is found ‘guilty as charged’ and what end of the sanctions range they’re going to face!