Stade Francais and Wallaby hooker Tolu Latu’s day was done early after swearing at referee Wayne Barnes. The veteran referee was having none of it and was quick on the draw with Latu’s second yellow card.
Barnes even went so far as to repeat exactly what was said to him, not bothering to water it down. “He’s looked at me and said, f***ing hell!”
Stade captain Tala Gray then interrupted: “He spoke French. I don’t think you understood that properly.”
WATCH: The funniest and most controversial moments of Wayne Barnes’ career
Barnes then said: “Stop… He’s then looked at me and said ‘I got the f***ing ball.’ Very clearly. Very much at me… yellow card, red card.”
Wayne Barnes explaining his actions against Tolu Latu.
“He’s said f*cking hell”. “He’s then looked at me and said, I got the f*cking ball.”
⚠️ #SFPvCON#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/sZ6OzMlh1Z
— Darren Carlson (@SaffasRugby) January 23, 2022
Commentator Ryle Nugent wrapped up the incident perfectly: “Latu is in all sorts of trouble, all sorts of trouble. Good night, good luck, and goodbye.”
Barnes of course famously sent off Dylan Hartley for swearing in 2013, ruling him out of that year’s Lions tour to Australia.
Stade won this match 37-31, but could now be without Latu for some time after his outburst. His first card, for an illegal clearout, can be seen at the end of the clip before he tosses a towel onto the camera.
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