Nadi, Fiji – Fijian Drua prop Jone Koroiduadua has received a two-week ban for committing a headbutt against Melbourne Rebels’ hooker Alex Mafi during a Super Rugby Pacific match. The suspension was confirmed by the Foul Play Review Committee, who found Koroiduadua guilty of violating Law 9.12, which prohibits physical abuse, including striking with the head.
The FPRC, led by Stephen Hardy, Ofisa Tonu’u, and Stefan Terblanche, decided that the act of foul play warranted a six-week suspension, given that Koroiduadua and Mafi were in close proximity before the incident occurred. However, they noted that the headbutt made limited contact with Mafi’s head, primarily hitting his chest without causing any injury, leading to a reduced sanction.
Due to Koroiduadua’s early admission of guilt and other mitigating factors, such as his clean disciplinary record, the FPRC discounted three weeks from the initial suspension. Furthermore, in response to the low-end nature of the offense and concerns about proportionality, the Committee further reduced the ban by another week, resulting in a total of two weeks.
As a result of the suspension, Koroiduadua will miss the upcoming matches against the Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika. The decision to give a two-week ban for the deliberate headbutt has sparked criticism from fans, with many expressing disappointment over what they perceive as a lenient punishment for violent conduct.
One fan group, Progressive Rugby, criticized the reduction in the ban, arguing that violent acts should not be subject to leniency. Social media platforms have been flooded with reactions to the ban, with some fans questioning whether the outcome would have been different for a player of a different nationality.
The controversial suspension has ignited strong opinions among fans, with many expressing disbelief at the perceived leniency of the punishment. Critics have called the ban an “absolute disgrace” and have demanded harsher penalties for players who engage in violent behavior on the field.
Overall, the decision to hand Koroiduadua a two-week ban for the headbutt incident has sparked widespread debate and criticism within the rugby community, raising questions about the consistency and severity of disciplinary actions in the sport.