Rugby world up in arms about Owen Farrell red card matter: ‘Astounding’

It would appear the majority of the rugby world are upset and angry with World Rugby and those close to them following the news on Tuesday that England captain Owen Farrell had escaped a ban after receiving a red card in a match last Saturday for a no-arms, shoulder hit on an opponent.

Following a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday, Farrell’s red card was overturned, allowing the player to continue playing without any sanction, paving the way for his participation at this year’s World Cup in France. The tournament starts on September 8.

World Cup

A lengthy ban would have ruled Farrell out of at least a few pool games at the World Cup, and at worst, the entire tournament.

The decision by the panel to let Farrell off the hook, for the tackle on Wales’ Taine Basham, has been described as “astounding” by some and a “mockery” by others.

The all-Australian disciplinary panel ruled that the Foul Play Review Officer “was wrong, on the balance of probabilities, to upgrade the yellow card issued to the player to a red card.

“On that basis, the committee did not uphold the red card and the player is free to play again immediately.”

Previous incidents

Farrell has previously received a three-match ban for the same offence in January, on top of five matches in 2020 and two in 2016. It was thus expected he would not be treated leniently in the disciplinary process.

Farrell admitted to the panel that his shoulder-led tackle to the head of Basham, who as a result failed an Head Injury Assessment, was illegal but worthy of only 10 minutes in the sin-bin.

Angering many rugby followers is the fact that in the last few days Scotland’s Zander Fagerson got a three-match ban, reduced to two, for a dangerous tackle and George Moala of Tonga, who was also sent off in his team’s match against Canada for a dangerous tackle, got a 10-week ban.

Here are the Farrell and Moala tackles and reaction to the overturning of the Farrell red card.