Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Italy's Tounesi suspended 12 games for biting Japanese player

By Sam Smith
Sara Tounesi of Italy powers through the tackle. Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images

Italy second-row Sara Tounesi has been suspended for 12 matches, having appeared before an independent judicial committee on Monday after being cited for biting (Law 9.12) in Italy’s Rugby World Cup 2021 Pool B match with Japan on 23 October, 2022.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tounesi appeared before an independent judicial committee on Monday having been cited for biting (Law 9.12) in Italy’s Rugby World Cup 2021 Pool B match against Japan on 23 October, 2022. The citing was denied.

The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by the independent Judicial Panel Chair, Christopher Quinlan KC who was joined by judicial officer Brenda Heather-Latu (Samoa) and former international player Ofisa Tonu’u (New Zealand).

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

The Committee considered all the evidence including from the victim player, the player (Ms Tounesi) and the video footage of the incident. The Committee concluded that the player bit a Japanese player which offence merited a red card and accordingly upheld the citing complaint. The Committee decided that the appropriate entry point was mid-range (18 matches) but having regard to her mitigation, reduced the sanction to 12 matches.

The player is therefore suspended for Italy’s quarter-final match against France on 29 October with the remaining matches to be determined once the playing schedules of Italy and the player are known.

Press Release/World Rugby

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Chasing The Sun | Series 1 Episode 1

Fresh Starts | Episode 2 | Sam Whitelock

Royal Navy Men v Royal Air Force Men | Full Match Replay

Royal Navy Women v Royal Air Force Women | Full Match Replay

Abbie Ward: A Bump in the Road

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 9

James Cook | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

New Zealand victorious in TENSE final | Cathay/HSBC Sevens Day Three Men's Highlights

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING Nemani Nadolo: 'Now I cut grass, do gardens, cut hedges for a living' Nemani Nadolo: 'Now I cut grass, do gardens, cut hedges for a living'
Search