In a storm of controversy, former Test referee Owen Doyle has called for the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) to deliver a harsher punishment to Bundee Aki for his recent misconduct towards match officials. This demand follows Aki's suspension from the initial rounds of the upcoming Six Nations after his unacceptable outburst during a Connacht defeat to Leinster. An independent panel has already handed Aki a four-match ban, but with the IRFU's own inquiry still pending, the stakes might just escalate.
Aki, a seasoned centre for Ireland, could potentially face an extended absence from the national team, depending on the outcome of the IRFU's internal investigation. Despite being sidelined, Ireland's coach Andrew Goodman has left the door open for Aki's return in the latter stages of the tournament. However, Doyle, who once headed IRFU's referee operations, insists on a zero-tolerance approach to preserve the sanctity of the sport and the authority of its officials.
"The IRFU...do have the option of suspending the player for all of the Six Nations, and that would show everybody just how serious they are about referee abuse. They should step up to the mark,"
Doyle referenced the case of England's Dylan Hartley, who was handed an 11-week suspension for verbal abuse towards referee Wayne Barnes—a decision that saw Hartley miss the prestigious 2013 Lions tour. "It showed us that no player is bigger than the game," Doyle remarked, highlighting the severe repercussions that followed Hartley's misconduct.
Doyle's call for sterner measures is not just about setting an example; it's about addressing a broader issue within Irish rugby and potentially beyond. He pointed out a disturbing trend of players increasingly challenging referees, a behavior that undermines the very fabric of the game.
"Referees need to penalise this behaviour the first time it happens, rather than a no-sanction warning to the offender or the captain; it seems that Cross had earlier spoken to Connacht captain Cian Prendergast about Aki," Doyle emphasized, underscoring the need for immediate and decisive action to curb such tendencies.
As the IRFU deliberates on further sanctions, the rugby community watches closely, aware that the outcome could set a significant precedent for respect towards officials in the sport.
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In a storm of controversy, former Test referee Owen Doyle has called for the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) to deliver a harsher punishment to Bundee Aki for his recent misconduct towards match officials. This demand follows Aki's suspension from the initial rounds of the upcoming Six Nations after his unacceptable outburst during a Connacht defeat to Leinster. An independent panel has already handed Aki a four-match ban, but with the IRFU's own inquiry still pending, the stakes might just escalate.
Aki, a seasoned centre for Ireland, could potentially face an extended absence from the national team, depending on the outcome of the IRFU's internal investigation. Despite being sidelined, Ireland's coach Andrew Goodman has left the door open for Aki's return in the latter stages of the tournament. However, Doyle, who once headed IRFU's referee operations, insists on a zero-tolerance approach to preserve the sanctity of the sport and the authority of its officials.
"The IRFU...do have the option of suspending the player for all of the Six Nations, and that would show everybody just how serious they are about referee abuse. They should step up to the mark,"
Doyle referenced the case of England's Dylan Hartley, who was handed an 11-week suspension for verbal abuse towards referee Wayne Barnes—a decision that saw Hartley miss the prestigious 2013 Lions tour. "It showed us that no player is bigger than the game," Doyle remarked, highlighting the severe repercussions that followed Hartley's misconduct.
Doyle's call for sterner measures is not just about setting an example; it's about addressing a broader issue within Irish rugby and potentially beyond. He pointed out a disturbing trend of players increasingly challenging referees, a behavior that undermines the very fabric of the game.
"Referees need to penalise this behaviour the first time it happens, rather than a no-sanction warning to the offender or the captain; it seems that Cross had earlier spoken to Connacht captain Cian Prendergast about Aki," Doyle emphasized, underscoring the need for immediate and decisive action to curb such tendencies.
As the IRFU deliberates on further sanctions, the rugby community watches closely, aware that the outcome could set a significant precedent for respect towards officials in the sport.