RFU clamping down on gouging

[lahinch_lass]

Maidstone docked 50 points in gouging probe

MAIDSTONE FC have been deducted 50 league points and fined £2,000 after being found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Union and/or the Game contrary to Rule 5.12 of the Rules of the Rugby Football Union 2010-11.

The club appeared before an RFU Disciplinary Panel of Gareth Rees QC (chair), Dr Julian Morris and Mike Curling charged with being responsible for the action of unidentified players, one of whom made deliberate contact with the eye of Clarence Harding during the match against Gravesend on January 17, 2010. The action caused Mr Harding to lose the sight of his right eye.</span><br style="font-weight: bold;">
“Players who commit serious acts of misconduct on the field of play must realise that such acts can have serious repercussions for a club as a whole,” said Rees.

“In these changing times clubs must accept a greater responsibility</span> for the conduct of its members, including on the field of play.

“The panel acknowledge that Maidstone gave great assistance to both the police and the RFU during their investigations into this matter.”

Maidstone have the right of appeal.

[LeakyBoots]

Hmmm, will they apply the rules to the big boys? Good precedent to set but I hope they're just not making a scapegoat of this side and nothing else follows.


Awful blight on the game - ban players for 2 seasons for it. Jesus what Burger got away with still annoys the t*ts off me

[IrishPat]

Maidstone closed ranks and prevented the player from being identified by Kent Police - relegation is too good for them.

Hopefully they appeal and the fine is doubled

[McCloud]

Fine seems to be very low all right 2k?

[LLCOOLJ14]

Maidstone closed ranks and prevented the player from being identified by Kent Police - relegation is too good for them.




dont know this story? Any further details?

[IrishPat]

dont know this story? Any further details?

BBC report here &gt; http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8663226.stm

Happened almost a year ago now. Feel sick every time I read the description of what was done.

[LLCOOLJ14]

dont know this story? Any further details?




BBC report here &gt; http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8663226.stm

Happened almost a year ago now. Feel sick every time I read the description of what was done.




Im not getting what their defense was?Maidstone know who did it and wont say or what? Have they totally denied a gouge took place?


Looking at the link below(part of it pasted), the police decided not to proceed with it either. The club sound awful imo- it doesnt sound like they contest it happened-just hiding behind a wall of silence is it? Sounds awful? Entire club should be kicked out if my reading of whats gone on is correct.





http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-11827032


The statement said there had already been three investigations by the club, the police and the RFU.


It added: "None of these investigations uncovered any evidence that directly implicated any Maidstone player in an act that deliberately caused the damage to Clarence Harding's eye.


"Maidstone Rugby Club maintains its stance that had any hard evidence emerged to implicate any of its players, then the player or players would have been dealt with by the club and the club would have co-operated fully with relevant external bodies.


"Maidstone has always worked closely with its local disciplinary body, the Kent RFU, to maintain the highest standards of behaviour on the field and will continue to do so in the future."