Following the incidents that occurred in the opening week of the Dialog Rugby League, Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) has resorted to strict disciplinary action against the violators of the code of conduct by suspending three players for periods of two, three and four weeks respectively.
The first week of the Dialog Rugby League was not the start that the tournament anticipated with three incidents of misconduct happening in two games cited. The brawl that occurred in the 71st minute of play in the CH & FC vs Kandy SC game has been cited by the Citing Match Official (CMO) and Kanchana Lakshitha of CH & FC has been handed a two-match ban for deliberately punching one of the Kandy players.
Kanchana will have to miss two weeks of Dialog Rugby League action following this incident. He was initially shown a yellow card for his punch by the on-field referee.
Meanwhile, in the same match, Shehan Pathirana of Kandy Sports Club has been handed a four-match ban, being penalized for kicking on head. The incident that was cited by the CMO occurred in the 9th minute of play when CH & FC’s Chathura Dilshan went for the ball at the same time that Pathirana attempted to clear it with his boot.
Dilshan was soon hospitalized and given medical care. With a severe injury to his head and 32 stitches to his mouth, he is set to miss out on the first round of the league. The verdict means that the second row from Kandy will be forced to miss out on the next four weeks of Dialog Rugby League action.
Chathura Dilshan set to miss first round through injury
Chathura Dilshan sustained a head injury in the opening game of the Dialog Rugby League 2017/18 and is set to miss…
CR & FC’s captain Kavindu Perera’s yellow card incident has also come under the purview of the citing official in the opening week where CR & FC faced Air Force in Ratmalana. Perera’s high tackle on Air Force winger Amila Bandara was identified as being above the waistline and dangerous.
The referee on duty, Aaqil Jamaldeen did not hesitate to send the speedster to the sin-bin but with the verdict coming from the citing inquiry that took place yesterday (8th), the tackle was deemed as dangerous play and Perera will have to sit out for three weeks.
Watch all the Match Replays from the 1st week of the Dialog Rugby League
Speaking to ThePapare on the verdict that was given, Aruna Jayasekara the judicial officer for Sri Lanka Rugby and the Asia Rugby affiliated officer shared that the sole reason for citing is to keep sportsmanship intact and to build respect between players while also ensuring the players’ safety.
“The citing mechanism was initially introduced to Sri Lanka Rugby in 2014 and the main idea is to eliminate foul play & misconduct in the game so that the game is played in the true spirit of sportsmanship.”
“We are looking at building respect for one another in the sport and to keep the game clean.”
However, each player and his respective club can appeal against the verdict in accordance to World Rugby Regulations.
According to World Rugby regulation 17 sub-section 22 with regard to Appeals, section 17.22.2 (a) dictates the following; A Player and/or the Player’s Home Union/Rugby Body (as appropriate) may appeal to an Appeal Committee or Appeal Officer from a decision of a Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer. Any appeal of such decision must be lodged with the nominated officer of the Host Union or Tournament Organiser (as applicable) within 48 hours of the date on which the decision of the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer has been notified or in default, with the Secretary of the Host Union or the disciplinary officer of the Tournament Organiser (as applicable).
17.22.5 – If the Host Union or Tournament Organiser shall so require, each notice of appeal shall be accompanied by a deposit of an amount not exceeding the equivalent of £1,000 (pounds Sterling), such amount to be determined by the Host Union or Tournament Organiser. In the event of a required deposit not being paid, the appeal shall be deemed to be abandoned, save that the Appeal Committee or Appeal Officer, in any case, shall have the power to extend the time for payment of the deposit. In the event of an appeal by World Rugby, the Host Union or Tournament Organiser no appeal deposit shall be payable.
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