ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Tweet about red card results in suspension for Anthony Watson

BY Grant Constable  ·  Tuesday Nov 23, 2021

Bath Rugby’s Anthony Watson appeared before an independent disciplinary panel last week in relation to a charge that came about from a tweet he made on a referee’s decision. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Watson, who injured his knee the week prior to the incident, tweeted his disagreement to his 53,000 plus followers after teammate, Mike Williams was red-carded against Wasps on 30 October 2021

Williams had flown into a ruck and was deemed to have done so in a dangerous manner, leading to a straight red card shown by the referee.

Watson, watching on while icing his knee (in his own words), tweeted his dismay, stating that Williams had little option to wrap.

Anthony Watson tweet

Watson was charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Union and/or The Game, contrary to RFU Rule 5.12.

He accepted the charge and was given a one-week suspension by the independent disciplinary panel. That one-week ban is suspended until the end of the 2022/23 season. He was also required to pay the costs of the hearing to the sum of £500.

RELATED: Rassie Erasmus hit with ban following misconduct hearing for THAT video

Watson is required to prepare and deliver a presentation to the Senior Squad, the Academy Squad, and the Rugby Department at Bath Rugby, by 14 January 2022.

ADVERTISEMENT

View the red card incident below

Watson’s testimony explained his state of mind and reasoning at the time:

“On the 30th October I was sat at home icing my knee when I decided to upload a tweet questioning the decision of the referee in a game concerning both my club and teammate.

ADVERTISEMENT

I would like to record my remorse for my actions, it was never my intention to bring the game into disrepute and my ignorance surrounding the matter is not acceptable.

My actions cannot be explained simply by shifting the blame or placing extreme emphasis on my circumstances, I understand I must be accountable for my actions.

However, contextually I believe it’s important to understand how difficult the past month or so has been for me.

A week prior to this game I suffered a potentially season ending knee injury, which alone is not the easiest thing to deal with.

However, when coupled with the fact that a mere 2 years ago I spent 13 months on the side- line watching my team and rehabilitating a double ruptured Achilles – can explain some level of the frustration I am feeling.

I am unable to contribute to my team in the most constructive manner I know how. This is further exacerbated when you analyse the poor start to the season my club has had, and the personal desperation for my club to win games and succeed.

Whilst again, I will emphasise that none of this goes a way to explain my actions, I would like the context of my personal situation to be understood.

In addition to this, my tweet remained uploaded until the 9th November, purely because I did not want to interfere with the process of the disciplinary (I was notified on the 1st so had ample time to delete) – this was not by any means not deleted due to hard headedness. I deleted it on the 9th November, when the disciplinary hearing had scheduled a date and everything was formalised.

It was also done prior to any media outlets being notified to stop any unnecessary press activity.

Once again, I am deeply sorry for my actions, it is not something that will happen again.”

The Bath and England back has the right of appeal against the decision. It must be lodged with the RFU within 14 days of the date the judgment was delivered.

LATEST RUGBYDUMP BLITZ CONTENT:

Related Articles

  • 31 WEEKS AGO

    Tickets now on sale as World XV set to face...

  • 31 WEEKS AGO

    '60 metres, plus change' - massive drop goal...

  • 31 WEEKS AGO

    Referee makes 'tackle of the season' as he...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 120 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 23 HOURS AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

View All