The mindboggling decision to rescind Owen Farrell’s red card is yet another example of rugby shooting itself in the foot. It has made the game a complete and utter laughing stock.
When I first heard Farrell had been cleared to play with immediate effect, I was lost for words and just totally dumbfounded. My reaction was: ‘You have got to be joking?’
Everyone I’ve spoken to in the game was expecting the England captain to face a long ban and miss at least the early stages of the World Cup after his high shot on Wales’ Taine Basham.
Those same people, like me, were left completely shocked by Farrell’s exoneration. Personally, I’m flabbergasted. There is no bigger supporter of English rugby – and Farrell – than me.
England will, of course, be very pleased Farrell is now available for the World Cup. But I have to say the decision on him has not done them or the game itself any favours.
Owen Farrell’s red card for a high shot on Taine Basham during England’s win over Wales was rescinded on Tuesday
A disciplinary panel on decided to rescind the red card after the video hearing
Rugby fans across the world – and that includes English supporters – are, on the whole, incredulous at what’s happened and they have every right to be.
The independent judicial committee which adjudicated on Farrell’s case decided that the foul play review officer should not have upgraded his card from yellow to red.
They did so on the basis that Basham had been hit by England hooker Jamie George and that altered the Wales player’s direction of travel before he was tackled by Farrell.
That was enough for them to say there was mitigation and that the card should have stayed yellow. Farrell was initially sent to the sin bin for colliding with Basham, but rugby’s new bunker review system decided he should have been sent off after television footage was analysed. I don’t think anyone could argue with that view.
By saying that the official who made the bunker review decision was wrong, the new system – which seemed to work well at Twickenham to me – has now been completely undermined.
My view is that the bunker review system is a welcome addition to the game.
But the three Australian judges on the committee have now essentially said it doesn’t work. I would love to know what rugby experience they have to make that call.
All three have badly let the game down on the eve of its biggest occasion.
Sir Clive Woodward says the decision is another example of rugby shooting itself in the foot
The Australian judges on the committee have badly let down the game on the eve of the World Cup
What is going to happen the next time a player makes a high tackle and then the decision is checked by the bunker system? I can tell you. Players will look at the Farrell case as a yardstick.
They will say: ‘Farrell got off, so why shouldn’t I?
Scotland’s Zander Fagerson and his head coach Gregor Townsend must be absolutely fuming.
Fagerson saw his yellow bumped to a red by the bunker system and he was handed a ban after a high tackle against France.
I’d be fascinated to know his thoughts on why he was suspended and Farrell not as there was no difference in the offences committed.
Rugby is in a very strange position if a professional team of referees decides on a red card and then a panel of Australian judges tells them they’re wrong.
Unfortunately, that is exactly the position we’re in! It’s farcical and a massive own goal for the sport on so many levels. I’m really not sure where rugby goes from here.
The sport is struggling badly and needs to attract new fans. This sort of farce will not only not do that, but also turn those who love rugby away from it.
There is going to be massive pressure on Steve Borthwick (centre) as the Farrell debate will rage on
Farrell should have been banned for three or four matches and even a one or two-game ban would have been acceptable to a degree.
To overturn the red card completely is just so wrong.
I’m sure England head coach Steve Borthwick would have expected a long ban and there is now going to be massive pressure on him. The Farrell debate will dominate for weeks to come.
Again, that is not good for rugby on the eve of a World Cup. It is more negative headlines the game doesn’t need.
It was expected George Ford would start at No 10 against Ireland on Saturday.
Now Farrell is back available again, Borthwick faces a big call. The spotlight will be on the pair of them for the foreseeable future.
But if they or anyone connected to English rugby thinks this decision will quickly be forgotten, then they are very, very wrong. This is going to run and run.
Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
Mail Online
