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IRB make an example of Wales U20 and France U20

Tuesday 17th June 2008

Both Wales U20 and France U20 have been handed suspended fines for their part in the mass brawl that erupted at the end of their match.

Following an IRB Junior World Championship 2008 judicial hearing, the independent Judicial Officer, Hugh Logan (Ireland), upheld a complaint of misconduct against the France and Wales teams following an incident after the match between the two teams at Swansea on June 14.

The Judicial Officer found that both teams displayed behaviour or practices that brought the Game of Rugby Union, the IRB and the IRB Junior World Championship into disrepute as a result of a 'serious act' of violence involving players and other personnel from both teams after Wales' 23-19 Pool D victory.

Both Teams received a sanction of a �50,000 suspended fine for misconduct which will be payable if either Union is found guilty of a misconduct charge at any level in the next two years.

A deduction of three Championship points will also apply for both teams at the 2009 and 2010 IRB Junior World Championship and IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy tournaments.

Both teams accepted that the behaviour of their teams following Wales' victory at the Liberty Stadium was not acceptable and acknowledged collective responsibility for bringing the Championship into disrepute.

The independent Judicial Officer further determined, having reviewed the video and report evidence presented, that individual players should be sanctioned for their part in the incident.

As a result Djibril Camara, Jeremy Braille, Rabah Slimani (all France) and Jevon Groves (Wales) were also sanctioned for Misconduct.

Camara received a nine-week suspension, Braille a nine-week suspension and Slimani a 13-week suspension. Groves received a three-week suspension. All four players will take no further part in the Championship. The period of suspension will commence from August 9 in the case of the French players and immediately for Groves.

The parties have 48 hours to appeal the decision.

With thanks to the IRB