Rugby player handed ban for racist comments - Ruck

Rugby player handed ban for racist comments

A Welsh rugby player has been banned for eight weeks for racist comments made towards an opponent.

The incident occurred on 4 January in a match between Cardiff club Llanrumney and Trefil of Blaenau Gwent.

At the time, Llanrumney claimed one of their players, centre Wayne Dacruz, had been racially abused, being called a “black c***”.

In a statement, the Union said there is “no place for abuse of any kind in rugby union.”

“The player had been sent off for an act of verbal abuse towards an opponent which involved a reference to the opponent’s race.

“Having considered evidence from players belonging to both clubs, the match referee, and following submissions made during the hearing, the panel concluded the offence met the elements of the mid-range suspension under the World Rugby sanctions table which carries a suspension of 12 weeks.

“The panel then reduced the suspension by four weeks due to mitigation factors which included evidence demonstrating the behaviour had resulted following ‘significant provocation’ of the player, evidence suggesting the behaviour was out of character for the player and the fact the player has a good disciplinary record over his 20 year playing career.

EDITORS PICKS:

“In determining the date of expiry of the suspension, the panel took into account the interim suspension that had been imposed by Trefil RFC since January 4, 2020, and in light of forthcoming scheduled matches, the player is suspended from participating in the game of rugby union until up to and including March 22, 2020.

“He is therefore free to play from Monday March 23, 2020 onwards.

“There is no place for abuse of any kind in rugby union.”

– WELSH RUGBY UNION STATEMENT

EDITORS PICKS: