Top 14 reveal bans for ‘flying head-butt’, ‘kung-fu kick’ and the red-carded Ronan O’Gara
Bans have been handed down in France to 'kung-fu' kicking Antoine Hastoy and, inset, Ronan O'Gara of La Rochelle
French disciplinary officials have banned Racing 92’s Janick Tarrit for his recent ‘flying head-butt’ and also issued verdicts following their three hearings involving La Rochelle – including red-carded coach Ronan O’Gara.
The most recent round of matches in the Top 14 – Round 11 played on November 29 and 30 ahead of the start to this season’s Investec Champions Cup – generated headlines for a flurry of red cards.
Racing hooker Tarrit was facing a 10-week suspension after he lost his temper early in the second half at Toulouse and head-butted Efrain Elias in the chest.
However, the 10-week sanction entry point was mitigated to five weeks due to Tarrit’s expression of remorse, admission of guilt, and conduct before and during the hearing. He will be free to play for Racing on January 4, following their league trip to Bordeaux-Begles.
Fastest sending-off in Top 14 history
La Rochelle, meanwhile, had three cases to answer following their defeat at Pau. Club president Vincent Merling was summoned following a report from the match officials about his referee complaints, but it was decided by the disciplinary committee that there was no basis for further action to be taken against him.
There was no reprieve, though, for club coach O’Gara, who was sent off in the 57th minute of the loss to Pau after referee Jeremy Rozier got tired of the Irishman’s arguing over decisions. The disciplinary outcome was a two-week ban for O’Gara and a €3,000 fine.
O’Gara’s anger that November Sunday night was originally ignited by the decision to red card La Rochelle fly-half Antoine Hastoy after just 34 seconds of the match – the fastest sending off in the history of the Top 14.
Hastoy had stretched out his leg kung-fu style while still in the air after making a catch and his studs caught Aaron Grandidier in the face. Banished to the touchline by referee Rozier, Hastoy has been banned for three weeks after being found guilty of dangerous play.
Disciplinary officials ruled that the offence merited a six-week entry point, but the punishment was halved due to mitigation – Hastoy’s clean disciplinary record, expression of remorse, admission of guilt, and conduct before and during the hearing.
His ban will expire on December 21, making him available for La Rochelle’s December 28 trip to Toulouse, the league leaders.
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