Six-week ban for Mujati 

Tue, 03 Nov 18:17:37 2009

Northampton prop Brian Mujati has received a six-week ban for pushing referee Nigel Owens in the back during a Heineken Cup game.

The South African forward was cited after the incident, which happened when Saints lost to Perpignan in France last month.

Mujati is suspended until December 2, ruling him out of Northampton's opening two LV= Cup games against the Ospreys and Saracens, plus Guinness Premiership appointments with Harlequins and Newcastle.

Independent judicial officer Rod McKenzie decided Mujati was guilty of an act contrary to good sportsmanship, although he also determined it was low-end in terms of its seriousness for an offence of physical abuse of a match official.

McKenzie accepted there were "compelling and exceptional mitigating factors" in that Mujati was suffering from concussion when the offence occurred.

And the judicial officer made a 75% reduction from the recommended entry point - a 24-week suspension - for a low-end physical abuse of a match official offence.

 

Comment 1 - 4 of 4

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  1. im sure it not the first or the last time nigel owens­ as had a push from behind

    From Taff, on Tue 3 Nov 12:14PM

  2. Nonsense ! How convenient that Mujati just happened to­ be concussed at the time. If that was the case, he­ should have been off the field and rested for 3 weeks­ by the Club anyway....Before you start yelling, I am a­ Saints fan of many years standing and behaviour like­ that is not acceptable, under any circumstances. ­

    Boo

    From becwhite264, on Tue 3 Nov 10:06AM

  3. oh yes, Nigel Owens deserved to be barged out of the­ way because he was 'useless'. As soon as the­ IRB stops punishing players who disrespect the referee,­ the sooner rugby will descend to the levels of­ football, with players questioning decisions and­ flocking round the official as soon as an unfavourable­ call is made.
    anyone who doesnt see that as a bad thing­ has no interest in sport, only an interest in engagin­ in the tribal/hooligan aspects of team-sports

    From moggie2727, on Mon 2 Nov 9:19PM
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Absolutely disgraceful decision against the Saints­ again!! How is that similar incidents haven't­ warranted anything (Sale and Munster players­ guilty)???

    Has to be said though that Owens deserved­ it as he was useless that night!

    From jayne.ellingham, on Mon 2 Nov 7:43PM
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