Officials have a ‘shocker’ as Peato Mauvaka escapes red card for ‘flying headbutt’
Fans have been left fuming after Peato Mauvaka escaped a red card for his 'flying headbutt'.
Peato Mauvaka and the match officials have been slammed after the France hooker was not red-carded for a ‘flying headbutt’ during the first half of the Six Nations decider in Paris.
The 28-year-old lashed out in the 20th minute after France were awarded a penalty and looked to have headbutted Scotland scrum-half Ben White.
“He is incredibly fortunate”
The incident was reviewed by referee Matthew Carley and TMO Marius van der Westhuizen with the former issuing a yellow card and sending the incident to be reviewed by Foul Play Review Officer Ian Tempest.
Tempest ultimately decided that the incident did not warrant a red card and Mauvaka was cleared to return to the action as it was deemed that his actions were not of a high degree of danger.
However, onlookers believed that the French hooker was incredibly lucky to escape a harsher punishment with many stating that the 20-minute red card should not have been an option in this case – for the 2025 Six Nations, referees are still able to issue a full red card for acts of deliberate foul play.
“I’m amazed that hasn’t been upgraded [to a red],” ex-Scotland international Rory Lawson remarked during the broadcast.
“He is incredibly fortunate that his headbutting isn’t all that accurate because he lost his head, saw the red mist and he is fortunate to get away with that and be allowed back on the field.”
Many agreed with him airing their opinions on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
“That should be a red for Mauvaka,” ex-England fly-half Andy Goode stated.
He later added: “So a flying head into the face of a player lying prone on the floor is just a yellow card?! Mauvaka should have seen a full red card for that, not even a 20 minute one. The bunker system has had a shocker.”
🟨 Mauvaka – ‘degree of danger is not high..’ 🤔#FRAvSCO pic.twitter.com/WG3buvuhf1
— Steve Lenthall (@steve_l15) March 15, 2025
“Ludicrous decision”
Several fans agreed with the former internationals with one fan flabbergasted that the hooker was able to return.
“How on earth is Mauvaka’s yellow card not upgraded?!?! That was an intentional headbutt – it doesn’t matter if the degree of danger wasn’t high! The intentional intent is what’s pertinent. What a joke!” they wrote.
Another adding: “Mauvaka gets off with a clear red card, simply because all the officials in the game don’t have the bravery to do their job properly. It’s just farce from week to week.”
One onlooker was quick to dispel the notion that White was attempting to milk a card from the incident.
“Anyone accusing White of ‘diving’ like in football clearly needs to go to Specsavers. Blatant contact. And if you think he milked it, I’d like to see you on the receiving end of Mauvaka’s head like that,” they wrote.
🟥 All the red cards in the Six Nations as Italy make UNWANTED history against Ireland
One comment simple read: “Mauvaka’s card will remain yellow That is a ludicrous decision – firstly to only give yellow and then for it not to be upgraded.”
Many felt that Mauvaka’s actions were clearly deliberate.
“There is zero mitigation in that. Mauvaka has chosen to deliberately make head contact on a player who is on the ground. It’s incredible how reluctant both the officials and commentators were to call that for what it is,” a post read.
Some pointed to France head coach Fabien Galthie’s comments after Les Bleus’ victory over Ireland when he slammed the actions of Andrew Porter and Tadhg Beirne’s actions leading to Antoine Dupont’s injury.
“I wonder what Fabien Galthie makes of Peato Mauvaka’s reprehensible action just there… Zero mitigation, just pure foul play,” their post read.
READ MORE 👉 Jarring footage emerges of Antoine Dupont injury as furious France boss promises citings