Argentina star Tomás Albornoz has been banned for four games as World Rugby continues to take a strong stance on players disrespecting officials.
The Pumas playmaker was cited way back on July 23 in the wake of the explosive 31-24 Nations Championship loss to England on July 18.
Angus Gardner and Tomas Albornoz. Stan
Albornoz angrily confronted Angus Gardner after the fulltime whistle and made contact with the veteran Australian referee.
“Hey, hey, hey, don’t, don’t,” a shocked Gardner told Albornoz, who then spiked the ball in disgust.
World Rugby said that Albornoz accepted the misconduct allegations.
“In particular, he accepted that his conduct, taken as a whole, was intimidatory,” a lengthy statement read.
“The committee accepted that contact with referee Angus Gardner, although limited in nature, occurred while disputing a match official’s decision and formed part of that overall course of intimidatory conduct.
“The committee also noted that Albornoz approached the referee on two separate occasions and had to be restrained by teammates.
“The committee further noted that, while Albornoz accepted that his conduct amounted to intimidation of a match official, he did not accept that his actions were abusive, insulting, offensive or threatening. That distinction was accepted by both World Rugby and the committee.
“In determining sanction, the committee accepted that the contact with the referee, while limited, occurred in the context of disputing a match official’s decision and formed part of an overall course of intimidatory conduct…
Argentina’s Tomas Albornoz is tackled by England’s Fin Smith. AP Photo/Gustavo Garello
“Taking into account Albornoz’s early acceptance of the charge, his undertakings to issue public and private written apologies, and his previously clear disciplinary record, the committee accepted that a four-match suspension was appropriate.”
Albornoz will miss the two Tests against the Wallabies in Argentina on August 30 and September 6 (AEST).
The 28-year-old will also be sidelined for the home clash with the Springboks and Toulon’s Top 14 club game against Stade Rochelais.
Watch Wallabies vs Japan and the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa. Add the Stan Sport package to watch rugby live and on demand with no ad-breaks in play