Williams handed two-week ban

By Mark Stevens
2/1/20

Exeter Chiefs and England prop Harry Williams has been handed a two-week ban after appearing before an independent disciplinary panel tonight.

Williams was shown a red card by referee Wayne Barnes in the 77th minute of the match between the Chiefs and Saracens on Sunday, December 29 for acts contrary to good sportsmanship, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.27.

Williams accepted the charge and was handed suspension by Richard Whittam QC chairing as sole independent judicial officer. Williams is free to play again on Tuesday 14 January 2020.

Independent judicial officer Richard Whittam QC said: “Harry Williams was substituted during the match having failed an HIA. In the 76th minute he left the technical area, which is set back from the pitch, came forward, rounded the hoardings that surround the pitch and advanced over 10 metres deliberately to enter a melee that already had started.

"The referee, who handled the situation in an exemplary manner, assessed his actions as exacerbating the situation. Clearly it was behaviour against the spirit of good sportsmanship, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.27.

Richard Whittam QC assessed the action as attracting a low-end entry point for ‘other’ behaviour in the sanction table in Annex 2 to Regulation 19. He did not strike another player and no one was injured as a result of his actions. He apologised to the referee immediately after the match and accepted the charge in advance of the hearing.

In those circumstances the four-week sanction was reduced to one of two weeks.