England forward spared hefty ban due to ‘exceptional circumstances’ after altercation which saw fan ‘put in a headlock and cut’
Jonny Hill for Sale Sharks in 2024.
England lock Jonny Hill has been banned for 10 weeks, four of those suspended, after a clash with a supporter following Sale Sharks’ semi-final defeat to Bath last season.
The incident occurred after the Premiership knockout match on June 1 where it is alleged that a fan was put in a headlock and left with a cut above his right eye.
Hill was not involved in the game after suffering a serious injury during a Champions Cup tie in January but was there to support his team-mates.
However, tensions spilled over after the game and the 30-year-old was alleged to have breached RFU Rule 5.12.
Accepted the charge
That is conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game and/or Union in circumstances where he is alleged to have physically abused a spectator. The second-row accepted the charge and was subsequently handed a ban.
The panel agreed the incident deserved an entry point of 20 weeks but that, after mitigation was applied, it was halved and reduced to 10.
Four of those have been suspended which means the England forward will be free to play for the Sharks on December 7.
Panel chair, Philip Evans KC said: “The panel concluded the appropriate starting point was a 20-week suspension from playing.
“They also found the circumstances of this case to be exceptional and as a consequence, and because of the substantial mitigation available to Jonny Hill, that starting point was reduced to 10 weeks, four of which will be suspended until the conclusion of the 25/26 season.
“In addition he is required to give a presentation to young players at the club which is to be recorded and provided to the RFU.”
Commenting on the judgement, Sale said: “Both the club and player accept the ruling made by the RFU disciplinary panel, and we now look forward to getting Jonny back on the pitch in a Sale Sharks shirt as soon as possible.”
Police investigation
The incident has also been the subject of a police investigation, the outcome of which has not yet been revealed publicly.
Sale had been unsure over when Hill could return to action with Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson revealing last month that it was in the hands of the barristers.
“We have no clarity on Jonny with regards to the exact date he is going to return. It’s still with the authorities at the moment, and we have to wait for whatever judgement passes down from them,” he said in October.
“The guy who is supposed to be dealing with it is on annual leave.
“I have to take deep breaths and accept that it’s out of my control and out of Jonny’s at this point in time.
“It’s not like we’re not chasing it up. We have got barristers on the case and have had since the start of this. It’s just a long process that is not conducive to professional sport.”
