Gloucester flanker Andy Hazell claims he reacted to provocation in Thursday's Amlin Challenge Cup clash against Mont-de-Marsan in France.
Hazell received a red card midway through the second-half for punching a Mont-de-Marsan player during Gloucester's 11-6 victory.
Video footage also showed that the former England international aimed his knee at the opponent's head.
But Gloucester boss Nigel Davies revealed that his club will cite at least one Mont-de-Marsan player following a game that Gloucester won.
There are strong suggestions that Hazell's violent reaction came after he was eye-gouged.
Davies told the Gloucester Citizen that Hazell's eye was "severely sore and very red".
"We'll speak to the citing commissioner, and there will be something done there," he said.
"We can't condone what was done from a Gloucester view, but that was a reaction to what went on before.
"We will take our punishment, but I think they (Mont-de-Marsan) need to take their punishment too.
"We'll look at the video, and from what I've seen already I'm sure we will make a complaint.
"The doctor's had a look at Andy's eye. It was severely sore and very red.
"And we took some pictures of that, because that was damning evidence in its own right.
"He's disappointed with himself, but I think there were three incidents before that with the same player and he's caught him off the ball again, and unfortunately Andy snapped."
Hazell, meanwhile, took to Twitter to express his frustration at his sending off.
Never had a red in 12 years, extremely embarrassed by my actions," tweeted the 34-year-old.
"It was the third time someone tried to severely injury (sic) me, and I reacted."
Hazell is expected to receive a lengthy ban from tournament disciplinary chiefs.
Gloucester's next Challenge Cup match is against another French club - Bordeaux-Begles - at Kingsholm next Thursday.
Comments
passtheball says...
can't really blame him - eye gouging is low stuff. Anyone wondering if / when Richie McCaw will finally retaliate? I wonder what the punishment would be?
Posted 03:29 25th October 2012
Ripzy007 says...
It's like a norm to eye gouge in the French rugby player mentality...but I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't get suspended...Rougerie got away in last years WC
Posted 22:33 21st October 2012
jonesy2 says...
i condone his actions. i think its fair enough to react if someone has been eye gouging you and god knows what else. red card and a ban sure, but he has nothing to be embarrassed about in my opinion. fair reaction to the lowest acts possible if you do those then you run the risk of getting what you actually deserve then and there not just a stupid little suspension
Posted 06:32 16th October 2012
boksmashoffice says...
I saw the clip on youtube and have to say the actions were disgraceful. It was like watching MMA the way Hazell was punching and kneeing the prop. i am sure if you did that on a fri night out in Gloucester, you will be done for assault.
Posted 18:29 15th October 2012
Kent says...
Cox deserved red also
Posted 11:39 14th October 2012
shubibiman says...
I'm sure Hazell will just get a 3 week ban only. I don't think the IRC would ban an english player longer than that.
Posted 09:42 14th October 2012
damo says...
damo says...
Feel for Hazel he is a class player he needs to stand up and appologise and take his punnishment as he is a class player - I posted this on the below date!!!
Posted 22:42 12th October 2012
Andy needs also to say there is no excuse for what he did !!!!
.
Posted 16:19 13th October 2012
startledwombat says...
No problems with the alleged earlier offences being the focus of disciplinary action too. As for Hazell, he chose to respond the way he did. In the same way he chose not to react on the earlier alleged occasions. He's shown he can choose not to react so now it's "take the consequences" on the third alleged occasion.
Posted 07:09 13th October 2012
APV1 says...
He deserved the red and deserves a ban for his actions. He was belting a prone player, who was not defending himself. And to lift the bloke's head in order to knee him was bloody stupid. He saw red and then got given a red:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZYpljlcVHk
I think the yellow was harsh. Cox tackled the player who was attacking Hazell. I think that's a much fairer way of breaking up a fight than hitting them. Maybe that's just me.
Equally, if there is proof of gouging, the perpetrator(s) should also be banned. And the other acts of foul play by MdM also need addressing and dealing with.
Posted 17:08 12th October 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Being eye-gouged is enough to push anyone over the edge. I think andy will expect a ban but lets not go nuts here and stick the boot in when he basically acted like any of us could have when put in that position.
As for the french prop, I hope he's squirming while the video tapes are examined with a fine-tooth comb. Chances are that he'll get away with it, but that's some seriously bad karma he's storing up for the future.
Posted 16:32 12th October 2012