Beno Obano has had his punishment handed to him following a red card decision that left his teammates down to 14 men for the majority of Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final.
Obano got his height completely wrong during a tackle on imposing number 8, Juarano Augustus as he made direct contact with the South African’s chin. After much deliberation, referee Christophe Ridley found himself with no choice but to send the Bath front rower off for the remainder of the game.
🟥 Red card for Beno Obano after 21 minutes pic.twitter.com/RNOmzdLdGc
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During the hearing Obano admitted regret in the way the tackle was concluded, but denied that he ‘could’ or ‘should’ have done anything different, claiming that although the tackle did count as foul play, it did not reach the red card threshold.
Despite this, “The Panel reviewed the Referee’s report together with the video footage of the incident which
showed the incident clearly both at full speed and in slow motion”, leading to the original decision being approved with the following reasoning: that he “dangerously tackled an opponent making contact with the neck/head with a
high degree of danger and no mitigation.”
As a result, Obano has been handed a four match ban, with the option to reduce it down to three matches if he takes part in the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme. He has also received a £500 fine for the costs of the disciplinary process.
The judgment panel’s report explained the reasonings behind the removal of mitigation, adding:
“The RFU Regulations provide for a minimum mid-range entry point for offences involving contact
to the head or neck. As such, a minimum entry point of 6 weeks applies here. JA having suffered
no injury, the Panel did not consider that anything above a 6 week entry point was merited.
“The Player was plainly remorseful and had spoken to JA immediately after the game. He conducted
himself in an exemplary fashion during the hearing and came across as a thoughtful and mature
rugby player. He has one previous disciplinary incident for a similar offence in 2021 and, as such,
the Panel did not consider that 50% mitigation could be applied. As such, mitigation of 2 weeks
was considered appropriate.
“The Player is eligible to undertake the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme. Should he
successfully complete the programme, his sanction will be further reduced by 1 week.
“As such, the Player is suspended from playing for 4 weeks (to be reduced to 3 weeks upon
successful completion of the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme). Given the timing of
this disciplinary hearing at the end of the domestic season, it is not currently immediately obvious
what would be the Player’s next meaningful fixtures for the purposes of sanction.
“In addition to the playing suspension, the Player will also pay costs of the disciplinary process
pursuant to regulation 19.11.25 of the RFU Regulations, in the sum of £500.”
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