ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Friday Dec 18, 2020

Lenient ban for testicle grab raises comparisons to the infamous Joe Marler incident

The two-week ban handed to Stade Francais’ Charlie Rorke for an alleged testicle grab at the weekend has been the cause of plenty of confusion online when compared to Joe Marler’s ban earlier this year.

ADVERTISEMENT

Rorke was shown red by referee Ben Blain for allegedly grabbing the testicles of Benetton’s Leonardo Sarto, who was also sent off for retaliating. He pleaded not guilty to the charge at an independent EPCR disciplinary hearing this week.

The committee found that the red card was warranted, but rather than agree that the actions of the Stade Francais forward were in contravention of Law 9.27 (a player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship) which carries the minimum of a 12-week ban, it was decided that Rorke was guilty of a different offence coming under Law 9.11 (players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others), which has the minimum of a two-week man.

Marler’s ten-week ban for grabbing the genitals of Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones at Twickenham in March is now infamous in the rugby world.

The prop was charged with contravening Law 9.27 and was banned for 12-weeks as a result, which was then reduced.

Although he never actually missed a match due to the suspension of rugby due to Covid-19, there is confusion online as to how these two offences differ.

The debate as to whether Marler’s punishment should have been more or less is a well-trodden path by now, but those on Twitter cannot understand how Rorke can get off so lightly in comparison. Moreover, the players were not even charged for the same offence, despite many struggling to see the difference.

ADVERTISEMENT

Of course, it is the disciplinary committee, not the social media universe, that determines the ban length for players, but this one does warrant an explanation.

Related Articles

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Jokester has field day with Chris Latham's...

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Eddie Jones goes off on fan in shocking new...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Match Report: Australia challenge the All Black HAKA in extraordinary test

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Tom Curry receives ban following red card tackle against Argentina

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Off the ball 'punches' being called out by fans following All Blacks vs Springbok match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Scott Barrett's World Cup on the rocks following reckless shoulder charge

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Bizarre tackle school video divides viewers

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Dane Coles stunned as he hears news of Steve Hansen joining the Wallabies

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Moment of madness leads to incredible Springbok score

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

View All

Funnies

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Irish players prove the work/life balance is possible even at a World Cup

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber offers ice cold response at the press conference

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Stone Cole’d: Dan Cole channels his inner Steve Austin in brilliant behind the scenes action

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Chaos ensues as off-field substitute is caught up in try scoring opportunity

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Springboks set to sing additional song post national anthem in future test matches

View All

Amateur

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 3 HOURS AGO

    Incredible spreadsheet shows exactly how Scotland can progress to the quarter finals

  • 4 HOURS AGO

    Makazole Mapimpi out of World Cup as world class centre drafted back in

  • 5 HOURS AGO

    Raw power and camaraderie displayed as South Africa and Tonga came together in incredible match

  • 19 HOURS AGO

    Springbok players pay tribute to incredible fans that support them around the world

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Springbok’s reign as world champions in peril as Dupont returns

View All