Former international referee Nigel Owens has blasted the disciplinary committee who have overturned the red card handed to Bristol Bears secondrow Josh Caulfield.
Caulfield was sent off during in his team’s Investec Champions Cup clash with Connacht in Galway for making contact with the head of Finlay Bealham with his boot.
Referee Pierre Brousset, in conjunction with assistant referees and the TMO, examined the incident in depth and felt it necessary to brandish the red card.
The decision received mixed feedback online. Several fans felt it was justified, while other fans and players disagreed.
🐻 NEW: Bristol lock Josh Caulfield’s red card against Connacht has been overturned.
That’s the right decision for me.
A reminder of the incident 👇#InvestecChampionsCuppic.twitter.com/Aiz5SvikAa
— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) January 23, 2024
There is no way in this world Josh caulfield has intentionally stamped on his head, every player watching that knows it too.
— Gengey (@EllisGenge) January 19, 2024
Silly, hard to see it anything but Red. pic.twitter.com/3ul04nMW6U
— Joe Naughton (@JoeNaConnacht) January 19, 2024
This looks like a nasty injury and malicious initially but I wonder if Kyle Sinckler’s boot shooting up to the head of Josh Caulfield took him by surprise and he became unaware momentarily. I really hope nobody would do this intentionally. https://t.co/mEmgAxYIjY
— Mark Farmer (@MarkFarmer_) January 19, 2024
Adding his weight to the discussion, Owens disagreed that the incident did not warrant a red card as he took to X (twitter).
How can they say this is foul play but not red card. If it’s not foul play and complete accident then play on. If It’s reckless and foul play then it has to be RC. For what it’s worth it’s a RC for me as it’s not a natural action of rucking and reckless.
Glad I retired 🙈 https://t.co/VYHam8NtgL— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) January 23, 2024
What did you make of the incident? Let us know in the comments section below.
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