Marco Riccioni learns his fate after unusual red card

Italian international Marco Riccioni will miss two matches for his new club Perpignan after being dismissed for his part in a touchline scuffle during Italy’s thumping 57-10 defeat to Australia last weekend.

Riccioni, who’d started the match and been replaced on 54 minutes, got involved in a mass brawl as it spilled over the touchline close to the replacements bench and was promptly shown the red card by referee Christophe Ridley.

Sanzaar’s Foul Play Review Committee found Riccioni guilty of “conduct contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship” and handed him a four-match suspension, which was reduced to two on his admission of guilt

The committee also took into account his disciplinary record, conduct and remorse in reducing the sanction, which will see him miss Perpignan’s pre-season friendlies against Biarritz away, on Friday, 14 August, and at home to Bath on Thursday, 27 August. Perpignan begin their Top 14 season away to Stade Francais on Saturday, 5 September.

Riccioni signed for the Catalan club on a three-year deal this summer after spending four seasons with Saracens in the Gallagher PREM.

The 28-year-old has won 39 caps for his country, having made his debut against Ireland on the eve of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and had never previously been red-carded at Test level.

Whilst unusual, Riccioni’s dismissal brings back memories of the nightmare start to Niall Annett’s Bath career, when he was sent off whilst also in his tracksuit, for his involvement in a post-try touchline brawl before he’d even played a single minute for his new club.