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Namibia RU: Lifetime playing ban for player who attacked referee

The Namibia RU have issued a lifetime ban to a club player (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

A club player in Namibia has been given a lifetime ban from playing rugby following an altercation with a referee last month. He has also been suspended from all forms of rugby – including coaching, refereeing and administration – for 156 weeks through to May 31, 2027.

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It was May 18 when a player from the Grootfontein club ran towards the match referee and tackled him to the ground. The player was red-carded and the referee called off the match with immediate effect due to concerns for his safety.

A disciplinary hearing was convened 12 days later, on May 30, and after reviewing the referee’s report and video footage of the red-carded incident, it was decided to heavily penalise the offending player.

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    A video of the incident from the match versus the Falcons showed that play had stopped to allow the referee to reprimand another Grootfontein player when he was hit to the floor.

    A social media statement by the Namibia Rugby Union read:  “A serious incident occurred involving a Grootfontein Rugby Club player who tackled the match referee, causing the game to end prematurely.

    “Following a disciplinary hearing, the NRU has issued a lifetime ban from playing rugby and a 156-week ban from all rugby activities, effective May 30.

    “Our commitment to the safety and integrity of rugby remains unwavering. Full details and the right to appeal can be found in our statement.”

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    Comments

    1 Comment
    B
    Bull Shark 305 days ago

    Johnny Sexton got off lightly then.

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    ChristelLoewe 36 minutes ago
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    J
    JW 7 hours ago
    Why NZR's Ineos settlement may be the most important victory they'll enjoy this year

    It really all depends of how much overseas players would be paid (by NZR) to play for the All Blacks. I’ve not heard a peep on this front from any author suggesting it’s a good idea.


    If it’s nothing (a player gets his weekly paycheck from the club and thats it (which we know is definitely not the case in Ireland and France, or SA even I think?), then maybe it would retain more SR level players given that they’ll be getting the “AB” component (which is about where things stand, Burke for instance would have had to had his Sader contract upgraded to an AB one (think above Pero levels) to be on similar money.


    I’d having to imagine if a player is getting paid to do nothing over the international windows though, they are going to want to get paid extra for appear for the ABs, so in this situation, it’s hard to see many players being retained, yes.


    I’m pretty sure they flew to Japan and met in person.


    I’ve heard/had these discussions numerous times. I don’t think theres anyway to judge the interest that would be retain in SR. For one, it might be a more entertaining league as a result, as the JRLO is compared to Europe, despite it obviously being a lesser standard.


    If SRP is of a lesser standard and now able to use Japanese and American players to bolster teams, perhaps those markets more than make up for the downturn in NZ and Aus? Perhaps it gives NZR flexibility to create a more fit for purpose interdomestic competition, and interest actually increases? All you might need is a proper pathway from school to pro?


    Razor asked NZR to keep an open mind. Did NZR answer any of these questions to themself?

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