Features

Attoub handed massive ban

Author: John Harris
Date: 21/01/2010
Rugby Union betting

Shockwaves have been sent through the world of rugby union following the massive 16-month ban handed down to Stade Francais prop David Attoub this week.

Attoub has been made an example of by the rugby authorities who are keen to eradicate the most heinous of crimes from their game - the act of eye-gouging.

But rugby union certainly has previous when it comes to lengthy bans for on-field indiscretions and the French prop finds himself in some fairly infamous company when you take a look at the longest suspension handed out in the sport.

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Trevor Brennan

The Irish forward was banned for life - the punishment was reduced to five years on appeal - after jumping into the crowd and repeatedly punching a fan during a match between his Toulouse side and Ulster in January 2007.

The Ireland international was fined £17,000 and ordered to pay his victim £3,000 in compensation over the incident which led to his retirement.

Richard Nones

The Colomiers prop was banned for two years in 1999 after being found guilty of eye-gouging in a Heineken Cup match at Pontypridd.

Despite a lack of video evidence and a fractious appeal, the ban was upheld and Nones still remains the only professional player to be given the maximum 24-month ban for gouging.

Johan Le Roux

The South Africa prop was vilified in the media after biting All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick's ear during a tour match in 1995.

Le Roux was sent home in disgrace and banned from all forms of rugby for 18 months despite an appeal.

He later showed no remorse, saying: "For an 18-month suspension, I feel I probably should have torn it off. Then at least I could say, 'look, I've returned to South Africa with the guy's ear'."

Dylan Hartley

The Northampton hooker's hopes of playing in England's 2007 World Cup campaign were ended by not one but three moments of madness.

During a Premiership match against London Wasps in April 2007, he was found guilty of gouging three different players and banned for 26 weeks.

Julien Dupuy

If one guilty Stade Francais player wasn't bad enough then consider that two - both Attoub and Dupuy - were banned for gouging in the same match for which the French club were sportsbook favourites.

Before Attoub was banned, team-mate Dupuy had already been suspended for 24 weeks - reduced to 23 on appeal - after being found guilty of committing the offence on the same player. Ulster's Stephen Ferris was the unlucky recipient of their attention.

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