“Vindicated”.
That’s exactly how Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White feels after a Vodacom United Rugby Championship disciplinary committee overturned David Kriel’s red card on Wednesday after a hearing that involved submissions from the Bulls themselves.
The midfielder was red carded rather inexplicably for extending his arm to try and fend off an Ospreys defender, hitting him at the top of his chest and the bottom part of the neck, and while referee Eoghan Cross initially didn’t flag it as dangerous, repeated replays at the stadium and a baying crowd made him not only change his mind, but award Kriel his first red card of his career.
The Bulls were incensed by this, but held on to win the game 29-19 and immediately began working on trying to overturn Kriel’s sanction.
On Wednesday a disciplinary committe overturned the decision, exonerating Kriel from any sanction because of the red card
“The Player (David Kriel, No 12) received a Red Card in the 49th minute of the game under Law 9.11 – Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the elbow or forearm, or jumping into, or over, a tackler,” the ruling read.
“The Panel overseeing the disciplinary process Roddy Dunlop KC (Chair, Scotland), Donal Courtney and Gordon Black (both Ireland), found that while an act of foul play had occurred and the Player made contact with the neck area of the tackler, a combination of factors (including the Player's attempt at a hand-off to protect himself, the speed & height of the tackling player, and the low force of the contact in question) was such that the Player had established, on balance of probability, that a red card should not have been issued. The card was thus rescinded.
“As a result, the Player is now free to play and available for selection this weekend.”
While White didn’t select Kriel for the Bulls’ next game against the Scarlets on Friday night, he admitted on Thursday he felt “vindicated” by the result and praised the URC and their disciplinary process.
“Vindication,” White smiled, “It was vindication, not only of David, but of the competition as well. We spoke to (URC head of referees) Tappe Henning and he agreed. It was what coaches want with a situation like this, to be able to state your case in front of a competent judiciary, to be able to talk about the moment. The way they handled it was professional and an incredible step forward for us.”
White went on to say normally there was a fear that by defending a red card, you would be “poking the bear” of the judiciary and could worsen the prospects of a light sanction.
“It was great to be able to present a legitimate case, when there is always a fear that by doing so you would be ‘poking the bear’ at the hearing if you argue and there is a fear you may make it worse, that the player becomes more guilty. But the way it was seen and handled was very professional.
“People forget, players don’t want a red card next to their name in their careers, and while they may accept a more lenient sentence, the record of a red card stays on their profile forever. I’d like to say I was happy with the outcome and that as a coach we could present a legitimate case.
“That is not an indictment on the officials, there is always human error, but when it is human error, and it can be rescinded, then it is a good outcome. We are happy with the way it has been dealt with this week.”
White made several changes to his side to face the Scarlets, hoping to keep up their unbeaten record thus far in the competition on Friday night.