Rugby refereeing body calls for ‘serious sanctions’ to Shamas Foundation assaulters

Barely hours after the country’s rugby governing body - Kenya Rugby Union - promised to open disciplinary proceedings against three players from Shamas Foundation RFC who physically assaulted centre referee Saidi Kenya in their Championship semifinal match against Catholic Monks, Kenya Rugby Referees Association (KRRA) has implored KRU to mete out serious sanctions to the offenders as a way of passing across a clear message.

Over the recent weeks, rugby officials in the country have come under a lot of pressure from fans, coaches and players over claims of poor officiating with the latest ugly incident showing the players, captured on video, physically manhandling the referee.

Following the happenings, KRRA, in a letter sent out on Monday, condemned the heinous incident on one of their members as they made their stand on actions they would love to be taken in a bid to curb the fast rising cases of indiscipline, especially towards officials, in the game.

“The Kenya Rugby Referees Association strongly condemns the incident that occurred shortly after the Championship semifinal match on 19th March 2022. The physical attack on one of our own is an affront of the spirit and core values of the game of rugby. We have had other cases of verbal abuse directed at the match officials. This was incomprehensible,”

KRU opens disciplinary proceedings on players who assaulted referee

“We hope and trust that the matter will be expedited and the judicial process, governed by World Rugby Regulations and executed by the Kenya Rugby Union, will be conducted. The Union must send out a clear message to all and sundry. Serious sanction should be issued to the said players and Shamas Foundation Rugby Club,” read the letter signed by President Mwangi Karimi.

According to World Rugby Laws, Regulation 17 (9.28) states that players must not physically abuse Match Officials.

In the rules, a player who is found culpable of committing such an offense faces four types of suspension: 24 weeks/matches (Low-end), 48weeks/matches (Mid-range), 96+weeks/matches (Top-end) or life ban from the game.

In their letter on the issue, KRU stated a disciplinary process was underway and that the outcome will be communicated once the process has been completed.