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

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 46 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 46 WEEKS AGO

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



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    The latest member of the Tuilagi Rugby dynasty dominates in the Top 14 promotion play-off

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Springbok winger with the most athletic non-try of the season

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Jack Crowley drops the ball on dime for brilliant Munster try in URC Final

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: World class offload from James O’Connor Leads To Long Range Reds Try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster up and running with two incredible tries inside the first five minutes

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Marcos Kremer shown red card for reckless shot on Finn Russell

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Heroic tackle from Spanish 7s player goes viral

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    No sanction handed down by SANZAAR for tackle that left Reds player with a fractured neck

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Cheslin Kolbe Dominates Sebastian Cancelliere with back-to-back big tackles

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Barbarians Vs World XV highlights

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Silly Skill From Toulouse Fullback Highlights French Confidence

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

View All

Funnies

  • 14 HOURS AGO

    Watch: Savagely cruel bounce see’s Canada U20 concede brutal try

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    "Hey Manie oh ah I wanna know if I can block that kick" – Munster's hilarious new song

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Munster Rugby loving life in Cape Town Following URC Final Victory

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: La Rochelle Players Gate Crash O’Gara Interview

View All

Amateur

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Legendary playmaker announces new move

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Horrific footage has emerged of Mohamed Haouas attack on wife

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    French international receives prison sentence for attack on wife

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    John Afoa breaks record on return to Super Rugby

View All