Italy prop Marco Riccioni has been hit with a two-match ban after being sent off as a replacement during his side's Nations Championship defeat to Australia.
Riccioni had been replaced in the 54th minute of the clash in Perth, but was shown a straight red card just 12 minutes later as a scuffle broke out between the two sides. A bizarre series of events saw Australia debutant Massimo Amatosero drag Danilo Fischetti away from the touchline and towards the Italian bench, causing other players to pile in.
The brawl then spilled over onto the white plastic chairs being used by the Italian replacements and, in the melee, Riccioni - wearing a warm-up jacket - appeared to strike Amatosero.
Red card and suspension
After reviewing the incident with his assistants, referee Christophe Ridley showed the tighthead a red card and sent him to the stands. Following the match, which Italy lost 57-10, Riccioni appeared before Sanzaar’s Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) and was found guilty of “conduct contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship”.
He was initially handed a four-match suspension, but this was reduced to two matches due to his admission of committing an act of foul play and factors including his disciplinary history, conduct, and remorse. Having agreed a deal to leave Saracens and join Perpignan ahead of the upcoming season, Riccioni will now miss two games for his new side, specifically their clashes with Biarritz and Bath next month.
Committee statement
A committee statement read: "The Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) has found Italy prop Marco Riccioni guilty of conduct contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship, in breach of Law 9.27. The unsportsmanlike conduct, for which Riccioni received a red card, occurred in the 66th minute of the Nations Championship match between Australia and Italy at HBF Park, Perth. The FPRC determined that the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of four weeks/matches. In light of Riccioni’s admission that he committed an act of foul play and the acceptance that it was deserving of a red card, along with mitigating factors such as his disciplinary history, conduct, and remorse, the FPRC imposed a reduction of two weeks on the sanction."
Italy return to Nations Championship action on November 7 as they take on reigning world champions South Africa in Turin.
