A rugby player in Namibia has been banned for life for charging at the referee and knocking him to the ground during a match last month.
In shocking footage captured on video, the player – who has not been named by the Namibia Rugby Union – reacts when the referee shows a yellow card to one of his Grootfontein teammates in a match against the Reho Falcons last month.
When the card is shown, the player sprints from the edge of the field and flies into the referee, knocking him to the ground and starting a melee. The Falcons players are left stunned, throw their arms in the air and drag the offending player away.
The referee then shows the player a red card and abandons the match “due to concerns for his own safety”. In addition to a lifetime ban, the player was also banned for 156 weeks – the equivalent of three years – from all forms of rugby, including coaching, refereeing and administration. The ban ends on May 31, 2027; The match took place on 18 May, but the disciplinary hearing did not take place until twelve days later, with the player found guilty of “conduct deemed detrimental to the sport and the NRU”.
“A serious incident occurred involving a Grootfontein Rugby Club player who tackled the match referee, causing the match to be ended prematurely,” said a Facebook statement from the NRU.
“Following a disciplinary hearing, the NRU has issued a lifetime ban on playing rugby and a 156-week ban on all rugby activities, effective from May 30.
“The committee emphasized the seriousness of the offense and noted the potential for serious injury to the match official, the deliberate nature of the act and the negative impact on the reputation of the NRU and international rugby.
“Our commitment to the safety and integrity of rugby remains unwavering. Full details and the right to appeal can be found in our statement.”
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