France look set to be without two of their star players for the remainder of the Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup, with Axelle Berthoumieu and Manae Feleu banned.<\/p>\n
World Rugby have confirmed that Berthoumieu will play no further part in the tournament after an Independent Foul Play Review Committee reviewed her actions in the quarter-final against Ireland. Meanwhile, Feleu has contested that her dangerous tackle did not warrant a red card and will have her appeals heard by a Disciplinary Committee.<\/p>\n
France<\/a> emerged 18-13 victors over Ireland to progress to the final four of the tournament in England and will now face defending champions New Zealand in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n While both players have been issued bans by the Foul Play Review Committee, they have not accepted these proposed sanctions and will have their appeals heard by a Disciplinary Committee.<\/p>\n Feleu\u2019s high tackle<\/p>\n In the case of Feleu, she has contested that her actions did not meet the red card threshold.<\/p>\n \u201cThe committee reviewed the matter, including all submissions and footage, and determined that Feleu\u2019s actions were contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous tackle), that her actions were reckless and that there was contact with the Ireland<\/a> player on the shoulder and subsequently head to head, at height and with speed,\u201d a World Rugby<\/a> statement read.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Committee did not find any perceptible drop in the Ireland player\u2019s height that would have mitigated this. The FPRC therefore found that the citing was warranted. On the basis of all the evidence before them, the committee decided that the offence warranted the mandatory mid-range entry point of six matches.<\/p>\n \u201cThe committee decided to award full 50 per cent mitigation resulting in a final sanction of three matches. This will be reduced to two on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention should the player wish to apply for it. It was therefore proposed that Feleu is suspended for the remainder of France\u2019s Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup<\/a> 2025 matches, their upcoming semi-final against England and either the Bronze or Final match on 27 September.\u201d<\/p>\n Controversy erupts over alleged missed bite on Ireland player in Rugby World Cup exit to France<\/a><\/p>\n Biting incident<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Feleu\u2019s teammate Berthoumieu is set for an extended spell on the sidelines beyond the Rugby World Cup after she was handed a 12-game ban.<\/p>\n This, after broadcast images showed her biting Ireland\u2019s Aoife Wafer\u2019s leg during the quarter-final.<\/p>\n World Rugby confirmed that Berthoumieu accepted that foul play occurred and that a citing was warranted.<\/p>\n The Foul Play Review Committee reviewed the matter, including written evidence obtained post-match, as well as all broadcast angles, and determined that Berthoumieu\u2019s actions were contrary to Law 9.12 (physical abuse, biting) and upheld the citing.<\/p>\n The incident caused a massive stir online, with fans perplexed as to why the TMO missed the incident, with the committee stating:<\/p>\n \u201cIn reviewing the matter live, the TMO was unable to determine clear and obvious foul play and did not have the benefit of additional evidential submissions to corroborate.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the basis of all the evidence before them, the committee decided that the offending warranted the mandatory mid-range entry point of 18 matches. The committee awarded a deduction of six matches, resulting in a final sanction of 12 matches.<\/p>\n