BT Sport commentator and former England international Austin Healey has hit out at rugby’s disciplinary system at the end of a controversial week for the sport in England.
“Whether a player does charity work or whether they are a raving alcoholic when they get home after a game should have no bearing on the ban they receive for an offence,” wrote Healey in his column for the Telegraph.
“Rugby union’s disciplinary process has been a farce for years. It’s a very mechanical thing with a flow-chart framework that enables members of the disciplinary panel not to make too many mistakes. It saves them from using too much subjectivity.
“But at the third stage of this flowchart, there is a sentence which mentions “any other off-field aggravating factors”. That is the interesting one for me.”
He continued: “Eddie Jones also gave a statement in defence of Owen Farrell. There should be no influence from unions, either. Clubs and unions should pay a nominal fee for the disciplinary process to be managed and governed completely independently, perhaps by World Rugby.
“Then there is no way for anyone else to manipulate it. And then, finally, this farce can be put in the stocks.”
JOIN THE RUCK:
Every Gallagher Premiership club’s most famous fan
From Mary Berry to Sir Alex Ferguson, we run through the stars in the stands for every top-flight team
Bath RFC: Mary Berry
Best known for her cakes – that definitely do not have a soggy bottom – she is beloved across the nation. The 84-year-old, who is best known for previously judging on The Great British Bake Off and her 75 cookbooks, was born in Bath has been involved with the club on a number of occasions.
Bristol Bears: Simon Pegg
The famous actor, best known for Star Trek, Sean of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, revealed in his autobiography that attended Bristol matches when attending university in the city. He revealed in an interview in 2017 that he still follows the team and he hopes to get to a game in the near future
Exeter Chiefs: Liam Tancock
Affectionately known as ‘The Tank’, Liam Tancock is a Devon born athlete to make his mark on the sporting world. Born in Exeter, Liam played for the Exeter Chiefs until he was 13 when his coach persuaded him to pursue a career in swimming over rugby. Keeping his roots close to his heart, he is a keen supporter of Exeter City Football Club and Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club.
