Reaction: Owen Farrell’s ‘slap on the wrist’ ban and ‘farcical’ disciplinary process

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England's captain Owen Farrell looks on during training.

England's captain Owen Farrell looks on during training.

Owen Farrell will miss two of England’s Rugby World Cup pool games after receiving a four-game suspension for his dangerous tackle on Taine Basham.

The World Cup warm-up match against Ireland last week has been included in the ban after Farrell voluntarily opted to stand down from the fixture, with the appeal hearing taking place on the Tuesday after the game.

He also misses the last game before the tournament against Fiji this week and the Pool D clashes with Argentina and Japan.

Farrell had his tackle reviewed by the Foul Play Review Officer, aka bunker, during the match against Wales, which upgraded his yellow card to a red one.

His sending-off was rescinded at his first disciplinary hearing, but World Rugby appealed the decision with the appeal committee handing the fly-half his suspension.

Following the news, we look at how the fans and rugby public reacted on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

While former England fly-half Andy Goode did not comment on the decision itself he did post that “The disciplinary process in rugby is broken” and that it needs “a serious overhaul and be ran by a completely independent body or company.”

Meanwhile, lawyer Tim O’Connor believed that the suspension was “light” but was pleased Farrell’s tackle was punished in the end.

“Think four weeks is somewhat light, given it is no increase on his last such in January, but well within reasonable difference light, as it were. The main thing is that the message of “Lead high with a shoulder, and you’re gone if it hits the head” is reinforced,” O’Connor’s post read.

He was not alone, with Japan-based journalist Rich Freeman posting: “I have nothing personal against Owen Farrell. But the fact is he was red-carded earlier this year & went to tackle school & clearly did not learn Minimum mid-range entry point for foul play resulting in contact with the head is 6 matches – yet he gets a 2-game discount!”

Journalist Peter Jackson couldn’t believe that the first panel thought that the tackle was legal.

“World Rugby’s appeals committee give Owen Farrell a 4-match ban, ruling that his blow to Taine Basham’s head was ‘always illegal.’ Beggars belief that 7 days earlier, an all-Australian judicial panel saw fit to clear him. He will sit England’s World Cup ties v Argentina and Japan.” he posted.

Rugby columnist Paul Williams was happy that World Rugby stood up for the officials after the first disciplinary panel said that they got the decision to red card Farrell wrong.

Williams’ post read: “Good to see World Rugby backing referees and the bunker system.”

His view was shared by South African journalist Craig Ray: “#OwenFarrell has been banned for 4 games…well 3 in reality…cos he missed the Ireland game at the weekend, which is one of the four. The FPRO was vindicated. An important decision in light of the bunker review system to be used at #RWC2023 and beyond. #Rugby”

Another reply read: “A four match ban still feels like a slap on the wrist given Farrell’s record.”

Meanwhile, Blood and Mud podcast host Josh Gardner predicted that this won’t be the last time that the England skipper faces a disciplinary panel.

https://twitter.com/joshgardner/status/1694077570973663616

Graham Love joked that England would be attempting to add a few warm-up fixtures before the World Cup to ensure Farrell would be available.

While Adrian Slabbert joked, “At the conclusion of the Farrell hearing do they say “That’s a wrap…”

Another joke read: “Owen Farrell should take his punishment on the chin, just like all the players he tackles have to.”

There was also a theme of the saga finally being over, a view shared by YouTube rugby analyst Squidge Rugby, who posted: “My main take is thank god that’s over.”

“To say this Owen Farrell saga has been farcical is putting it lightly,” another post read.

Progressive Rugby posted that there were no winners in the farce but that a strong message was still sent to players.

“There have been no winners in this sporting farce, least of all Owen Farrell and the game of rugby union,” said Prof John Fairclough of Progressive Rugby. “The bottom line is we must better protect players and their future brain health, and it’s crucial there is public confidence in player safety and in the effectiveness of the disciplinary system.

“The original panel undermined World Rugby’s mission statement that player welfare is their number one priority, but no this has been rectified we hope everyone can look forward to a magnificent RWC2023 in France.”

READ MORE: A closer look at all of Owen Farrell’s bans for dangerous tackles

England Owen Farrell