England Under-20 flanker\u00a0Seb Kelly\u00a0has been handed a\u00a0six-match suspension\u00a0by World Rugby after his shocking headbutt during the World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final against South Africa.<\/p>\n
\u2b50 Save us to your Google Favourites <\/a>for nonstop RUCK content!<\/p>\n The Sale Sharks back-row received a\u00a0permanent red card\u00a0during the first half of Monday\u2019s semi-final after headbutting Junior Springboks full-back\u00a0Luan Giliomee\u00a0while both players were on the ground following a tackle.<\/p>\n Reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the contest, England eventually fell to a\u00a053-37 defeat, ending their hopes of reaching the final.<\/p>\n The incident sparked fierce criticism across social media, with many rugby fans describing Kelly\u2019s actions as \u201cdisgusting\u201d and predicting a lengthy suspension.<\/p>\n World Rugby confirms six-match ban<\/p>\n Following an independent disciplinary hearing, World Rugby confirmed Kelly will serve a six-match suspension after accepting the sanction.<\/p>\n In a statement, World Rugby said:<\/p>\n \u201cIn determining the sanction for Seb Kelly, the FPRC found that the player struck his opponent, who was on the ground in a vulnerable position, with his head.<\/p>\n \u201cOn that basis the FPRC decided that the red card was warranted and proposed a mid-range sanction (10 matches) and did not award full mitigation, resulting in a sanction of six matches. The player has accepted the sanction.\u201d<\/p>\n Incredibly stupid from Seb Kelly.<\/p>\n Will inevitably ruin what was a great start from England and see South Africa in the final. pic.twitter.com\/Hg1ey5LPJ6<\/a><\/p>\n