In a major setback for English Rugby Team, its skipper Owen Farrell has been banned for England's opening two games of the Rugby World Cup 2023 following his horrific tackle against Wales. Owen Farrell's ban came at a time when the countdown for the 2023 Rugby World Cup has begun. For the unversed, Rugby World Cup 2023 is scheduled to take place in France from 8 September to 28 October 2023 in nine venues across the country. Notably, the 2023 Rugby World Cup is the first Rugby World Cup to take place entirely in France. Talkin about England's Rugby Team Captain Owen Farrell, the 31-year-old sport star was sent off in the warm-up match earlier this month, before it was retrospectively downgraded to a yellow. Now, the question arises why Owen Farrell was banned or what is Owen Farrell suspension reason? The answer lies in Owen Farrell's Video-
Owen Farrell Video
In the viral Owen Farrell video vs Wales, the English skipper can be seen making a direct head contact and this is what led to his suspension. As per UK media reports, following an appeal from World Rugby, the decision to award a red has been upheld. Therefore, it means that the 31-year-old will miss England's pool matches against Argentina and Japan, as well as their upcoming warm-up games against Ireland and Fiji. It is pertinent to mention here that Farrell was about to be banned for 6 matches, however, his sentence was reduced to 4 due to "the player’s acceptance of foul play, clear demonstration of remorse and his good character". Owen Farrell will be available to play and lead English Rugby Team against Chile and Samoa.
I cannot wrap my head around the Owen Farrell decision.
— Tom (@Tom___9) August 15, 2023
Taine Basham failed his HIA. Missed the rest of this game & no opportunity for the next warm up. Likely writing off his World Cup chances.
Owen Farrell missed 20mins of rugby.
Fuck world rugby. pic.twitter.com/Tzsdx8PNG0
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Below is what English Rugby stated in its official statement-
"Following an initial Disciplinary Committee hearing for Owen Farrell, who received a red card during the Summer Nations Series match between England and Wales on Saturday 12th August, World Rugby lodged a formal appeal against the Committees’ decision to downgrade the red card to a yellow, appealing for the red card to be upheld. The Appeal Committee met on Tuesday 22nd August and unanimously determined that in the original hearing the Disciplinary Committee should have considered the attempt of the player to wrap his opponent in the tackle. This point did not feature in the original decision.
"The failure to attempt to wrap was judged to be an important element of the Foul Play Review Officer’s (FPRO) report and had led to an upgrading of the referee’s yellow card to a red card during the match. As this element did not feature in the original decision, the Appeal Committee decided it was in the interests of justice to hear the case afresh on that key point alone, which included hearing from the player."