An Argentinian rugby player was handed a three-year ban on Friday after he tackled a female referee during an Italian league match.
Bruno Andres Doglioli violently tackled referee Maria Beatrice Benvenuti from behind during a game between Vicenza and Valsugana.
Doglioli was shown a yellow card for the incident. The 23-year-old referee was taken to the hospital after the game for treatment.
The 33-year-old player has since been suspended by his club Vicenza.
“It’s an incident for which there is no justification whatsoever,” the club said in a statement. “It was a momentary loss of control by the player who, in decades of playing, has always behaved professionally and correctly.
“Bruno Doglioli, aware of the severity of what happened, wants to first of all send to referee Maria Beatrice Benvenuti his most sincere regrets. At the same time he apologises to his team-mates, members of the club, sponsors and the fans for an incident that risks damaging the image of this marvellous sport.”
