Knowledge (XXG)

Dangerous play in rugby union

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109:(FA) that included the first law involving dangerous play. Law 10 stated that: "If any player with the ball should run towards his advisories' goal, any player in the opposition side should be at liberty to charge, hold, trip, or hack him, or wrest the ball from him; but no player shall be held or hacked at the same time". Hacking (tripping an opponent and kicking his shins) and carrying the ball were the most contested rules and they were soon scrapped by the FA. This caused some clubs to leave the Association and soon more games were played that involved hacking and carrying the ball than those that followed the FA's "official" laws. Concerns over hacking came to a head in 1870 when a surgeon published a letter in the times complaining about the number of rugby injuries he had dealt with that involved hacking, and chastised the schools for letting it continue. 71:
This is assessed by judging if the offending was intentional, reckless, provoked or premeditated as well as what body part was used (fist, knee, boot etc.), how vulnerable the victim was, the effect of the actions had on the victim and disciplinary record of the offender. When handing out match suspensions for dangerous play the IRB recommends suspension periods based on the type and severity of the offence. For most incidences of dangerous play (punching, stamping, dangerous tackles etc.) they recommend suspensions starting from two weeks, up to a maximum of one year. The more serious offences include striking with the head (up to two years), making contact with the eyes (up to three years), testicle grabbing (up to four years) and biting (up to four years).
92:, suspension (for a number of matches or time period), exclusion from Rugby Unions or grounds, suspension from Rugby officiating or a combination of the above. Verbal abuse of match officials can be punished by up to a year suspension, while threatening could result in five years and physical abuse of an official could see the offender banned for life. Racial or other discriminatory abuse could see a player banned for up to a year. Players banned can go to the crown kings general court so that they can get the time on their ban reduced. 1239: 1249: 222:
after a player suffered a serious injury to his left ear and subsequently received a six-month ban. In 2008 an English club player was banned for eighty weeks following a biting incident that left a player with "a partial amputation of the right index finger". A Welsh club rugby player was jailed for
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is appointed, who can cite any player for dangerous play, whether they have been detected by the referee or not. In matches where there is no appointed citing commissioner the Unions involved can cite players for dangerous play. During the judicial process the severity of the incident is considered.
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Eye-gouging is a serious offence where a player uses hands or fingers to inflict pain in an opponent's eyes. The game's laws refer to it as "contact with eyes or the eye area of an opponent" but such incidents are usually referred to as "eye-gouging" among players and in the media. The IRB has made
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The law that deals with dangerous play also applies to misconduct. Misconduct is any conduct (excluding foul play during a match) that is unsporting, unruly, ill-disciplined or that brings the sport of rugby union into disrepute. Misconduct deals with violence or intimidation that occurs within the
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he didn't miss any games. In 2009 at a rugby derby involving two of Romania's top teams a mass brawl broke out involving most of the players and reportedly a few spectators. Two players received a red card at the time and nine players were later suspended by the Romanian Rugby Federation.
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games were played under a code of conduct that varied between each school or club. As the popularity and number of clubs increased a set of standardised rules were developed. On 24 November 1863 a set of rules were developed by
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was jailed for 15 months after stomping on an opposition player's head during a rugby game in 2005. In 2006 a South African rugby player from the Western Cape died after allegedly being kicked in the head during a rugby match.
279:, during the same week in June 2009, the IRB stated that it would review the sanction structure for this type of offence "in order to send out the strongest possible message that such acts will not be tolerated". 561: 255:
at the start of the first test during the 2005 tour. The tackle dislocated O'Driscoll's shoulder, putting him out of the rest of the tour. Although cited, no suspensions were handed to either Umaga or Mealamu.
306:. Clarence Harding, an amateur player, lost sight in his right eye after an incident. On 24 November 2010 the player alleged to have been responsible was cleared of all charges due to lack of evidence. 354: 125:
every player would attack a South African player, reasoning that this would prevent the referee form penalising any one individual, as he could not send the whole team off. After French fullback
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law book. It defines foul play as "anything a player does within the playing enclosure that is against the letter and spirit of the Laws of the Game". Under these laws dangerous play includes;
214:'s ear during a scrum during a test in 1994, receiving an 18-month ban. After the disciplinary hearing he stated that "For an 18-month suspension, I feel I probably should have torn it off". 298:. The following Thursday it was confirmed that, despite the best efforts of surgeons, he had lost the sight in his left eye. The incident is currently being investigated by the 619: 571: 1189: 1184: 322: 1088: 1083: 164:
multiple times as he lay prone on the ground. He received a red card and subsequent seven week ban for the offence, although as it occurred during the Australian
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special mention of eye gouging, describing it as "particularly heinous". Following two high-profile test match incidents, involving
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observes dangerous play they are obliged to penalise and admonish the perpetrator. This can result in a "temporary suspension" (
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on involved games or lying about past disciplinary records. The penalty handed down for misconduct cases could be a caution,
684: 330: 966: 391: 897: 118: 1288: 190: 62:). If the offence is serious enough further action can be taken after the game, including bans from playing rugby and 51: 80:
venue (i.e. changing rooms, tunnel, warmup area), abuse of match officials or spectators, discriminatory statements,
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a year in 2008 for biting an opponent's earlobe off. After a scuffle during a 2009 rugby match in the
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in 1978. After receiving 30 stitches from his father he returned to the game. A player for Welsh club
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after being mistaken for another player who made contact with Mendez's head. During the
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suffered an eye injury 30 minutes into a game between Scarlets feeder club
837: 287: 158: 1067: 122: 85: 81: 620:"Rugby Union: Yates' legal team pushes for delay in ear-biting hearin" 882: 40: 886: 218:, an English international, was cited for foul play in 1998 by 117:
During the 1974 Lions tour to South Africa, Lions captain
834:"Disappointment as Kent rugby player cleared of gouging" 723:"Eye gouging: war is declared on rugby's 'ultimate sin'" 432:"Regulation 17. Illegal and/or Foul Play and Misconduct" 384:"Laws of the Game Rugby Union 2010, Law 10.5 Sanctions" 323:"Laws of the Game Rugby Union 2010, Law 10 Definitions" 189:
was the victim of stamping by touring New Zealand prop
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was unexpectedly hit by a haymaker from Argentine prop
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during the 1991 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, flanker
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knocked Heslop out with a punch. In 1990 English lock
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November 25, 2008. 586:"Rugby player jailed for stamping" 19:is dealt with under the foul play 14: 683:Devin Hermanus (April 29, 2009). 670:"Ear-biting rugby player is jail" 560:Smith, Sean (30 September 1999). 66:. In some high-profile matches a 1247: 1238: 1237: 618:Chris Hewett (17 January 1998). 977:International eligibility rules 787:"Blind eyes must not be turned" 745:Baldock, Andrew (2 July 2009). 599:Ben Maclennan (June 27, 2006). 811:Eykyn, Alastair (2010-05-06). 672:. BBC News. 25 September 2008. 1: 588:. BBC News. 12 November 2007. 529:"Blood, punch-ups and biting" 527:Huw Baines (March 11, 2009). 17:Dangerous play in rugby union 721:Souster, Mark (2010-01-11). 549:. Australia. April 14, 2009. 247:were involved in an illegal 286:of the Welsh regional team 1305: 263: 177:In a 1927 match involving 1284:Rugby union-related lists 1274:Rugby union controversies 1233: 439:International Rugby Board 388:International Rugby Board 359:International Rugby Board 327:International Rugby Board 266:Eye-gouging (rugby union) 25:International Rugby Board 570:. London. Archived from 151:New South Wales Waratahs 121:devised a plan where on 107:the Football Association 23:(Law 9) in the official 1279:Rugby union terminology 210:bit New Zealand hooker 147:British and Irish Lions 863:Collins, Tony (2009). 638:"Kevin Yates: Profile" 767:. BBC. 7 October 2010 574:on November 11, 2012. 264:Further information: 113:Punching and fighting 239:New Zealand players 173:Stamping and kicking 1225:Oldest competitions 1159:Physical disability 1110:Olympic venues (7s) 1008:American flag rugby 942:Oldest competitions 282:On 2 October 2010, 206:South African prop 68:citing commissioner 1289:Violence in sports 840:. 24 November 2010 39:or trampling, and 1261: 1260: 1203: 1202: 1190:Canadian football 1185:American football 1118: 1117: 1089:Canadian football 1084:American football 987:Playing countries 874:978-0-415-47660-7 710:. United Kingdom. 626:. United Kingdom. 300:Welsh Rugby Union 251:on Lions captain 235:Dangerous tackles 1296: 1251: 1250: 1241: 1240: 1208:Related articles 1129: 927: 907: 900: 893: 884: 878: 850: 849: 847: 845: 830: 824: 823: 821: 820: 808: 802: 801: 799: 798: 789:. 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ESPN Scrum. 530: 523: 521: 519: 517: 515: 513: 511: 507: 504:, p. 19. 503: 498: 495: 492:, p. 15. 491: 486: 483: 480:, p. 14. 479: 474: 471: 468:, p. 13. 467: 462: 459: 448:on 2012-06-09 444: 440: 433: 427: 425: 423: 421: 419: 417: 415: 413: 411: 409: 405: 394:on 2011-07-25 393: 389: 385: 379: 376: 365:on 2011-07-25 364: 360: 356: 350: 348: 344: 333:on 2011-07-25 332: 328: 324: 318: 315: 309: 307: 305: 301: 297: 293: 289: 285: 280: 278: 274: 273:Schalk Burger 267: 259: 257: 254: 250: 246: 245:Keven Mealamu 242: 234: 232: 230: 226: 221: 217: 213: 209: 208:Johan le Roux 201: 199: 196: 192: 191:John Ashworth 188: 184: 180: 172: 170: 167: 163: 160: 156: 152: 148: 144: 140: 136: 132: 128: 124: 120: 112: 110: 108: 103: 95: 93: 91: 87: 83: 74: 72: 69: 65: 61: 57: 53: 45: 43: 42: 38: 35:or striking, 34: 30: 26: 22: 18: 1220:Oldest clubs 1124:Rugby league 1094:Rugby league 946: 937:Competitions 864: 856:Bibliography 842:. Retrieved 828: 817:. Retrieved 806: 795:. 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London. 728:The Times 708:The Times 605:Iol Sport 225:Cape Town 183:Perpignan 1243:Category 1139:Gameplay 967:Glossary 962:Gameplay 838:BBC News 292:Llanelli 288:Scarlets 159:Fly half 60:red card 41:kicking. 37:stamping 33:punching 1253:Commons 1149:History 1132:General 1068:Rugby X 1063:Women's 972:History 930:General 179:Quillan 96:History 86:betting 82:bribery 52:referee 46:Process 871:  202:Biting 100:Early 27:(IRB) 1053:Touch 1043:Tambo 1013:Beach 446:(PDF) 435:(PDF) 102:Rugby 50:If a 1154:Laws 1033:Snow 1018:Mini 982:Laws 869:ISBN 846:2010 773:2010 302:and 294:and 275:and 243:and 90:fine 1048:10s 1038:Tag 21:law 1270:: 1028:7s 836:. 749:. 737:^ 725:. 706:. 687:. 654:. 622:. 603:. 564:. 545:. 509:^ 437:. 407:^ 386:. 357:. 346:^ 325:. 84:, 906:e 899:t 892:v 877:. 848:. 822:. 800:. 775:. 753:. 607:. 455:. 401:. 372:. 340:.

Index

law
International Rugby Board
rugby union
punching
stamping
kicking.
referee
yellow card
red card
criminal charges
citing commissioner
bribery
betting
fine
Rugby
the Football Association
Willie McBride
a set call
Serge Blanco
Nigel Heslop
Éric Champ
Paul Ackford
Federico Mendez
British and Irish Lions
New South Wales Waratahs
Duncan McRae
Fly half
Ronan O'Gara
off-season
Quillan

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