Dangerous play in rugby union
Dangerous play in rugby union is dealt with under the foul play law (Law 10) in the official International Rugby Board (IRB) rugby union law book. It defines foul play as "anything a player does within the playing enclosure that is against the letter and spirit of the Laws of the Game".[1] Under these laws dangerous play includes; punching or striking,stamping or trampling, and kicking.[2]
Process
If a referee observes dangerous play they are obliged to penalise and admonish the perpetrator. This can result in a "temporary suspension" (yellow card) of 10 minutes or even a "sending off" ([[Penalty_card#Red_card|red card).[3] If the offense is serious enough further action can be taken after the game, including bans from playing rugby and criminal charges. In some high-profile matches a citing commissioner is appointed, who can cite any player for dangerous play, whether they have been detected by the referee or not.[4] In matches where there is no appointed citing commissioner the Unions involved can cite players for dangerous play.[4] During the judicial process the severity of the incident is considered. This is assessed by judging if the offending was intentional, reckless, provoked or premeditated as well as what body part was used (fist, knee, boot etc), how vulnerable the victim was, the effect of the actions had on the victim and disciplinary record of the offender.[4] When handing out match suspensions for dangerous play the IRB recommends suspension periods based on the type and severity of the offence. For most incidences of dangerous play (punching, stamping, dangerous tackles etc) they recommend suspensions starting from two weeks, up to a maximum of one year.[4] The more serious offences include striking with the head (up to two years), making contact with the eyes (up to three years), testicle grabbing (up to four years) and biting (up to four years).[4]
Misconduct
The law that deals with dangerous play also applies to misconductCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name (see the help page).. Misconduct is any conduct (excluding foul play during a match) that is unsporting, unruly, ill-disciplined or that brings the sport of rugby union into disrepute.[4] Misconduct deals with violence or intimidation that occurs within the venue (i.e. changing rooms, tunnel, warmup area), abuse of match officials or spectators, discriminatory statements, bribery, betting on involved games or lying about past disciplinary records.[4] The penalty handed down for misconduct cases could be a caution, fine, suspension (for a number of matches or time period), exclusion from Rugby Unions or grounds, suspension from Rugby officiating or a combination of the above.[4] Verbal abuse of match officials can be punished by up to a year suspension, while threatening could result in five years and physical abuse of an official could see the offender banned for life.[4] Racial or other discriminatory abuse could see a player banned for up to a year.[4]
Eye-gouging
Eye-gouging is a serious offence where a player uses hands or fingers to inflict pain in an opponent's eyes. The game's laws refer to it as "contact with eyes or the eye area of an opponent" but such incidents are usually referred to as "eye-gouging" among players and in the media.[5] The IRB has made special mention of eye gouging, describing it as "particularly heinous".[6] Following two high-profile test match incidents, involving Schalk Burger and Sergio Parisse, during the same week in June 2009, the IRB stated that it would review the sanction structure for this type of offence "in order to send out the strongest possible message that such acts will not be tolerated".[6]
On 2 October 2010, Gavin Quinnell of the Welsh regional team Scarlets suffered an eye injury 30 minutes into a game between Scarlets feeder club Llanelli and Cross Keys. The following Thursday it was confirmed that, despite the best efforts of surgeons, he had lost the sight in his left eye.[7] The incident is currently being investigated by the Welsh Rugby Union and Gwent Police. Clarence Harding, an amateur player, lost sight in his right eye after an incident.[8][9][10] On 24 November 2010 the player alleged to have been responsible was cleared of all charges due to lack of evidence.[11]
References
- ^ "Laws of the Game Rugby Union 2010, Law 10 Definitions". International Rugby Board. Retrieved 2010-04-29.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Laws of the Game Rugby Union 2010, Law 10.4 Dangerous Play and Misconduct". International Rugby Board. Retrieved 2010-04-29.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Laws of the Game Rugby Union 2010, Law 10.5 Sanctions". International Rugby Board. Retrieved 2010-04-29.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j "REGULATION 17. ILLEGAL AND/OR FOUL PLAY AND MISCONDUCT" (PDF). International Rugby Board. Retrieved 2010-04-29.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Souster, Mark (2010-01-11). "Eye gouging: war is declared on rugby's 'ultimate sin'". The Times (London).
- ^ a b Baldock, Andrew (2 July 2009). "IRB review signals intent to get tough on gouging". The Scotsman.
- ^ "Gavin Quinnell loses sight in his left eye". BBC.co.uk. 7 October 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
- ^ "Police investigate rugby match gouging incident which left player blind in one eye". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved 2010-05-11.
- ^ "Blind eyes must not be turned". Retrieved 2010-05-06.
- ^ "Player blinded in one eye after gouge speaks out". BBC News. 2010-05-06. Retrieved 2010-05-11.
- ^ "Disappointment as Kent rugby player cleared of gouging". BBC.co.uk. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2010.