‘The whole incident has been farcical’ – Scotland star BANNED following controversial red card in Springboks defeat
Scott Cummings incident which saw him red carded in Springboks defeat and the Scotland lock after receiving his punishment.
Scott Cummings has been suspended after he was sent off in Scotland’s 32-15 defeat to the Springboks at the weekend.
The second-row was initially sin-binned by referee Christophe Ridley after he and flanker Rory Darge attempted to clean out Franco Mostert.
Although Darge appeared to get Mostert in the most awkward position, it was Cummings who was punished after his weight went onto the leg of the South Africa lock.
Upgraded to red
He was shown a yellow card but, following a bunker review, it was upgraded to red to leave Scotland down to 14 men for 20 minutes.
At a disciplinary hearing, Cummings was deemed to have contravened law 9.20 (e) in which “a player must not drop their weight onto an opponent or target the lower limbs”.
The second-row accepted that the action “justified” a red card and, as a result, he was handed a one-week ban, which means that the forward will miss the upcoming Portugal clash.
A statement read: “Scotland number five Scott Cummings appeared before an independent disciplinary committee via video link having received a 20-minute red card for an act of foul play contrary to law 9.20 (e) in the match between Scotland and South Africa on Sunday 10 November.
“The independent disciplinary committee was chaired by Rhian Williams (Wales), joined by former international referee Donal Courtney (Ireland) and former international player Olly Kohn (Wales).
“Having accepted that the act of foul play justified the red card and by applying World Rugby’s sanctioning provisions, the disciplinary committee determined that whilst reckless, the low-range entry point of two weeks was appropriate.
“With the full 50 per cent mitigation applied, based on an exemplary disciplinary record, good conduct and having shown remorse, the sanction was reduced to one week. The suspension will cover the following match: November 16 – Scotland versus Portugal.”
Reaction
There was widespread surprise on social media on Sunday when the decision was handed down by the officials, with one person writing on X, formerly Twitter: “Look forward to yellow cards at every clear out from now on.”
Another added: “That is a brutal upgrade, there was nothing intentional or cynical in it. Feel for the bloke.”
It was initially suggested Mostert had been croc rolled, which has now been outlawed, and that confused supporters.
“You having a joke right? Where’s the croc roll?” a fan wrote.
It has since been confirmed that Cummings has been banned for putting his weight onto an opponent’s leg, but some still feel that a greater explanation is required.
“You could see the confusion on Scott Cummings face when he was carded. Like many fans, I still have that confusion today,” Ian McCaw wrote.
“World Rugby need to explain better why this is a red card and how players avoid in future. Without stating the obvious, the game is not played in slow motion.”
Cummings decided to accept the actions were illegal and that it warranted a red card, but he will still be available for the key Australia clash.
“I’m guessing, but it feels as if this was a tactical decision by the player not to challenge the merits of the decision in order to receive a reduction in length of the ban through ‘remorse’ thereby allowing him to be available for Australia,” a person suggested.
Despite the admission of guilt, Scotland fans are still angry with one writing: “The whole incident has been farcical,” while another added: “Cartel behaviour.”
