‘Violent, brutal’ act earns Frenchman a MAMMOTH 19-match ban for thuggish offence

Jared Wright
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Provence Rugby player Guillaume Piazzoli

Provence Rugby player Guillaume Piazzoli

Provence back-rower Guillaume Piazzoli has been slapped with a 19-game ban after pleading guilty to a thuggish act during the Pro D2 clash against Dax.

It’s the fifth notable suspension handed down to the loose forward since 2021 and the third pertaining to an attack on a player who was on the ground.

His other two bans were for dangerous tackles, with his latest sanction being the heaviest of the lot.

In 2022, he was handed a five-week ban for stamping during the Pro D2 clash against Bourg-en-Bresse with the disciplinary panel finding that his actions warranted a low degree of danger and sanction point.

Guillaume Piazzoli banned

He was issued with a seven-week ban in September last year for a kick/stamping with cleats to the face of an opponent. His actions were deemed to warrant a top sanction entry point of 12 weeks, but had his ban was reduced for remorse, guilty plea and good conduct.

However, Piazzoli wasn’t nearly as lucky this time around as his conduct and guilty plea only earned him a three-week reduction from his 20-week ban with another two weeks added for his previous rapsheet.

The Provence loose forward was found guilty of Law 9.11 according to a statement by the LNR, which reads: “A player must not physically abuse anyone.”

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This after he was red carded in the game against Dax for kneeing fly-half Romuald Séguy in the back of the head after tackling the playmaker.

“Mr. Guillaume Piazzoli was found guilty of ‘brutality’, specifically of ‘striking with his knee’,” a translated LNR statement read.

“The Commission determined the offence to be of a high degree of seriousness, resulting in a 20-week suspension. After taking into account the aggravating circumstance (his prior disciplinary record), the suspension was increased by two weeks.

“After considering mitigating circumstances (expression of remorse, admission of guilt, and conduct before and during the hearing), the suspension was reduced by three weeks.

“Therefore, Mr. Guillaume Piazzoli is suspended for 19 weeks. As of March 4, 2026, and taking into account the Provence Rugby match schedule, Mr. Guillaume Piazzoli’s return-to-play date will be determined at a later date.”

Effectively, Piazzoli will miss the remainder of the Pro D2 season as well as some fixtures at the start of the next campaign.

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