Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Scott MacLeod and Chris Fusaro red carded for derby boxing

A week ago Edinburgh lock Scott MacLeod and Glasgow flank Chris Fusaro were both red carded for their off the ball fight at the end of a highly charged meeting between the Scottish rival sides in the Magners League.
While the incident took place pretty much on full time, referee Andrew Macpherson referred to his assistant and together they felt the punch up was worthy of sending both players from the park. The pair were subsequently suspended by the Scottish Rugby Union for a week, both missing the return meeting between the two sides.
"The pair were dismissed under Law 10.4 (a) - punching or striking," a statement read.
The panel considered it a low-end offence by both players, whose previous good behaviour and remorse on the night of the game and during the hearing was taken into account.
The incident caused somewhat of a stir in the Scottish media, with opinions varied as to whether the suspensions were too lenient, and on the flipside, if the red cards were too harsh . Edinburgh coach Rob Moffat seems to subscribe to the latter school of thought.
"You don't want to condone violence in the game, but if you look at that match - well, it was hard fought, it was physical, but it certainly wasn't dirty.
"We sometimes forget what rugby was like 30 years ago, when it was a lot worse than that. The game on Monday was just a good hard physical contest, and while people might not like seeing punches being thrown, they do want to see a good, hard contest."
It certainly was a full-on go by both men, gloves off type of stuff, but it was good to see the players exchange a composed handshake as they walked from the pitch.
Time: 01:32
Music: The Fallen by Franz Ferdinand
Posted at 4:28 pm | 55 comments
Posted in Big Hits & Dirty Play
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Viewing 55 comments
RedYeti January 04, 2011 5:27 pm

Laz January 04, 2011 5:27 pm

Chris January 04, 2011 5:30 pm

Bring back the biff!
Anonymous January 04, 2011 5:34 pm

Anonymous January 04, 2011 5:34 pm

Not appropriate in rugby but at least they both threw some punches
Anonymous January 04, 2011 5:35 pm

Anonymous January 04, 2011 5:37 pm

Anonymous January 04, 2011 5:44 pm

The red card is because of Fairplay League in the Magners League: "The Specsavers Fairplay League rewards the best disciplinary record, with the team with the fewest disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, and 3 points for each red card or upheld citing) at the end of each season given 10,000 to spend on their youth development programme."
Anonymous January 04, 2011 5:45 pm

What an outfit!
Rob January 04, 2011 5:51 pm

The fight was clearly over the awful kit. It was a matter of time before someone lost their cool over it.
Anonymous January 04, 2011 5:53 pm

It's a physical game that runs high on emotion so it's no surprise the emotions boil over at times - regardless of these blokes being 'professionals' or perceived as 'role models', they're human and it's no different to what you'd see on a Saturday avo watching club footy.
Get a grip!
Anonymous January 04, 2011 6:23 pm

DEO January 04, 2011 6:26 pm

Loving the franz too ;)
really good game i thought, and i'm glad there was at least ONE fight, tis a derby after all
HeavenlyDivine January 04, 2011 6:39 pm

------
If he cuts his girl hair people might call him by his name
Anonymous January 04, 2011 6:56 pm

How are referees supposed to get it right?- clearly this incident was dealt with correctly.
Anonymous January 04, 2011 7:40 pm

Anonymous January 04, 2011 8:04 pm

blonds get more atte January 04, 2011 8:47 pm

1 seemed unfased thou.
Warriors January 04, 2011 9:05 pm

DEO January 04, 2011 9:14 pm

DEO
Anonymous January 04, 2011 9:47 pm

Anonymous January 04, 2011 10:22 pm

Ruck on, bruthas!
Dolph January 04, 2011 10:47 pm

Anonymous January 04, 2011 10:49 pm

Sam January 04, 2011 10:50 pm

Anonymous January 04, 2011 10:57 pm

Anonymous January 04, 2011 11:30 pm

(u-p)rick January 05, 2011 12:29 am

Maybe it's not the case for these last minute cards but I dunno...... As for the scrap, it wasnt a cheap shot being thrown and looked like both parties were happily involved, I don't see a red, only yellow for me....
Jono January 05, 2011 1:49 am

In the old days it wouldn't even be a penalty, just a "calm down" from the ref.
I miss that.
Anonymous January 05, 2011 2:25 am

Mark January 05, 2011 4:33 am

Anonymous January 05, 2011 8:14 am

I understand that the referee doesn't want to create an environment where a 30-man bear pit forms, but you could solve that environment by carding the lads that come in and escalate matters. Let the lads have it out, and if they want to continue the conversation again, card them both to let them cool their heels.
HeavenlyDivine January 05, 2011 8:21 am

Erm, the number 1 rule in Rugby when it comes to the biff is NEVER restrain your own team mate.
That's the 1 rule you don't break.
Anonymous January 05, 2011 11:58 am

Or were we treated to some background music whilst relaxing to some rugby violence....
LOL.
Leeners93 January 05, 2011 12:34 pm

no stamping,eye-gouging,or kicking:play on
jo January 05, 2011 12:40 pm

For me, all the credit to Fusaro who despite being outnumbered and held walked away with a kind tap for his opponent. Pure fair play.
PS : MacLeod was "nice" and fair play too, but other the *anker from his team is a disgrace to this fair biff.
Anonymous January 05, 2011 1:25 pm

Anonymous January 05, 2011 1:40 pm

Anonymous January 05, 2011 2:50 pm

Anonymous January 05, 2011 2:51 pm

Anonymous January 05, 2011 3:51 pm

Ronan January 05, 2011 10:53 pm

hand shake at the end,
thats what i like to see.
Jono January 06, 2011 12:55 am

Overprotective parents or something?
Even fifteen years ago this wouldn't have gotten a red.
Twenty years ago there were no cards at all.
Better game as a result, imo.
In league (and I know I'm gonna get some irrational reactions because I brought up league), punch ups happen all the time and don't result in much of anything. Sometimes the guys get ten minutes to cool down, but usually nothing.
Anonymous January 06, 2011 6:01 am

Anonymous January 09, 2011 5:22 pm

Anonymous January 10, 2011 3:00 am

RugbyReece February 17, 2013 1:05 pm

Thugs game played by gents















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