FRANCE FORWARD Axelle Berthoumieu has taken to social media to apologise to Ireland’s Aoife Wafer for a biting incident during the World Cup quarter-final on Sunday.
Berthoumieu, accused of biting, and Manae Feleu are set to miss the semi-final after a disciplinary panel on Monday recommended bans for both.
Lock Feleu was given a yellow card for a high tackle and faces a three-match ban. Flanker Berthoumieu could be out for 12 matches after being found guilty of sinking her teeth into Irish star Wafer.
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If the bans are confirmed, the World Cup will be over for both women, as France have a maximum of two matches left, starting against England on Saturday in Bristol.
Irish captain Sam Monaghan had complained to the referee early in the second half that Berthoumieu had bitten Wafer.
The replay official could not confirm the offence, but videos on social media caught the deed.
Both offences were reported by an independent World Cup commissioner, Jeff Mark from Wales.
Both players had acknowledged their offences. Both appealed the bans.
Those appeals will be heard on Tuesday by a disciplinary committee, World Rugby said in a statement.
Berthoumieu wrote on Instagram: “On Sunday during the match against Ireland, I lost my cool. I know it’s unacceptable and I’m aware that it puts an end to my World Cup.
“I would like to sincerely apologise to Aoife Wafer and the Irish team, to my teammates and our staff, to the FFR, and to all those who support us.
“This is not the image I want to project or the player I want to be. I accept the punishment and I take responsibility. Rugby is a sport of respect, and this gesture has no place on a rugby field.”
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'This gesture has no place on a rugby field': France's Berthoumieu apologises to Wafer
LAST UPDATE | 16 Sep
FRANCE FORWARD Axelle Berthoumieu has taken to social media to apologise to Ireland’s Aoife Wafer for a biting incident during the World Cup quarter-final on Sunday.
Berthoumieu, accused of biting, and Manae Feleu are set to miss the semi-final after a disciplinary panel on Monday recommended bans for both.
The offences occurred in an 18-13 French quarter-final win over Ireland in Exeter.
Lock Feleu was given a yellow card for a high tackle and faces a three-match ban. Flanker Berthoumieu could be out for 12 matches after being found guilty of sinking her teeth into Irish star Wafer.
If the bans are confirmed, the World Cup will be over for both women, as France have a maximum of two matches left, starting against England on Saturday in Bristol.
Irish captain Sam Monaghan had complained to the referee early in the second half that Berthoumieu had bitten Wafer.
The replay official could not confirm the offence, but videos on social media caught the deed.
Both offences were reported by an independent World Cup commissioner, Jeff Mark from Wales.
Both players had acknowledged their offences. Both appealed the bans.
Those appeals will be heard on Tuesday by a disciplinary committee, World Rugby said in a statement.
Berthoumieu wrote on Instagram: “On Sunday during the match against Ireland, I lost my cool. I know it’s unacceptable and I’m aware that it puts an end to my World Cup.
“I would like to sincerely apologise to Aoife Wafer and the Irish team, to my teammates and our staff, to the FFR, and to all those who support us.
“This is not the image I want to project or the player I want to be. I accept the punishment and I take responsibility. Rugby is a sport of respect, and this gesture has no place on a rugby field.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Axelle Berthoumieu Ban Manae Feleu Punishment France Ireland Republic