IRB charges Boks over protest

[RoboProp]

South Africa have been charged with misconduct by the International Rugby Board for their protest against the suspension of Bakkies Botha.



The Springboks sported white armbands with the message "Justice 4 Bakkies" during Sunday's third Test against the British and Irish Lions, which the tourists won 28-9.


Botha was given a two-week ban for a dangerous charge on Wales prop Adam Jones seven days earlier, sparking the protest orchestrated by captain John Smit and the South African Players' Association.


But the IRB have reacted by claiming the South Africa Rugby Union are in breach of "regulations relating to the game, including breaches of the IRB code of conduct".


"The IRB takes the view that such an act demonstrates a clear disregard for the disciplinary process," a statement read.


"It does so in a manner which brings, or has the potential to bring, the game into disrepute.


"The IRB has notified the South Africa Rugby Union that it intends to begin the disciplinary proceedings.


"The matter will now be referred to the independent judicial panel chairman who will appoint a judicial officer or committee."


Botha was banned for not binding as he cleared Jones from a ruck, an incident which left the Lions front row with a dislocated shoulder and out of the game for six months.


The Springboks launched an unsuccessful appeal and then called for rugby's judicial system to show "greater consistency" in the application of the law.

[sarah_lennon]

good

[orfeo]

This calls for protests in the streets, the return of imperialism , we beat them on the field and now they are trying to nobble us in the committee room !

[dingbat]

Good enough for them.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I just think they were misunderstood...they were simply championing the talents of the French electro dance pop type band Justice...or at least that's what their legal team might say!

[Terraceman]

Meh..... they will get a slap on the wrist and a $2,000 fine!!!!

[ronk]

No, I think they were a statement about the correct mixer for rum.

[tones]

I'm glad to hear this, stupid Dutchmen. I'm sure if people reacting in a similar vein to Schalks "ban" then SA would be ok with it....

[AidanSloan]

I'm glad to hear this, stupid Dutchmen. I'm sure if people reacting in a similar vein to Schalks "ban" then SA would be ok with it....

Imagine the uproar if the Lions had come on the pitch to warm up wearing dark glasses and carrying white sticks with "justice" printed on their jerseys? The arrogance of the South African team is shocking.

[tones]

I'm glad to hear this, stupid Dutchmen. I'm sure if people reacting in a similar vein to Schalks "ban" then SA would be ok with it....

Imagine the uproar if the Lions had come on the pitch to warm up wearing dark glasses and carrying white sticks with "justice" printed on their jerseys? The arrogance of the South African team is shocking.

Well thats more of it, but just within the context of the Test series its incredible.

[gfo]

Ag, shut your bek, bru; the ref made a serious blaps when he cited Botha and thats just not lekker. you're just too dof to realise it, chommie

[Donny B.]

The entire Saffer squad should have been kissing the citing commissioner's hairy beanbag for letting Burger away with 8 weeks when it should have been six months at least. Instead they throw a public hissy fit over him missing a dead rubber that he probably would have been rested for anyway. w&%kers!

[sheepshagger]

Boks get fine for Botha armband protest

South Africa have been fined and found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute for protesting Bakkies Botha's suspension by wearing armbands during the third Lions test.

The Springboks escaped a possible suspension from the next World Cup in New Zealand in 2011, however, after a more serious charge was dismissed.

The punishment, which included a £1000 ($2448) fine for team captain John Smit and £10,000 for the South African Rugby Union, was announced by the International Rugby Board after a hearing in Dublin attended by Smith and South Africa coach Peter de Villiers. The other players were each fined £200 pounds.

The charges stem from the Springboks' decision to wear armbands in the third test against the British and Irish Lions on July 4 marked with the words "Justice 4 Bakkies" to protest the two-week suspension for lock forward Botha.

Botha was cited for a challenge on Lions prop Adam Jones which left the Welshman with a dislocated shoulder during the Springboks' 28-25 victory at Pretoria in the second test.

Although the independent committee dismissed a misconduct charge for technical reasons, it said the misconduct was serious in nature and there had been no formal apology, acknowledgment, contrition or clarification from either the players or the South African Rugby Union.

"The playing arena is no place for protest," the three-man committee said in its ruling, adding that the wearing of the armbands "showed a serious lack of respect and consideration for their opponents".

The Independent Committee said that, had it not been for the legal technicalities, both SARU and the Springbok players and management would have faced much more serious sanctions.

That included a more severe fine in the case of SARU and the suspension of the Springbok players and management from the World Cup in 2011.

It added, however, such a ban would have remained suspended in the absence of further acts of misconduct.

The committee said it believed its decision would deter all rugby players from adopting such an unwise and ill-considered way to make their feelings clear to the IRB, or the general rugby watching public.

The IRB said it welcomed the guilty verdict but was disappointed with the punishments.

"The IRB is extremely disappointed at the level of sanctions imposed against the South African Rugby Union and its players in light of the clear findings that they have brought the game of rugby into disrepute and acted in a manner which is prejudicial to the best interests of the IRB and the game of rugby," it said in a statement.

"The IRB is giving urgent and serious consideration to the decision of the Independent Committee and the further options available to it, which include whether or not to bring an appeal against the level of sanctions imposed by the Committee."

SARU issued a statement saying it noted the outcome of the Committee but would not respond until it had reviewed the full findings.

- AP

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/ar ... d=10593022