Argentina fly-half Tomas Albornoz has been suspended for four matches following his heated clash with referee Angus Gardner during last month's Nations Championship defeat to England.
Incident at Santiago del Estero
Argentina were denied a try at the death in a feisty clash at Santiago del Estero that could have handed them a draw, with Bautista Delguy's effort ruled out by Gardner and the TMO. That allowed England to hold on for a 31-24 victory, with Albornoz showing his displeasure moments later.
As Gardner blew the full-time whistle, the official was confronted by members of Argentina's team - with Albornoz appearing to make physical contact with the referee. Gardner was heard ordering Albornoz to move away from him after contact was made.
Members of Argentina's support staff also reportedly had to keep other players away from Gardner, with the referee also targeted by the crowd as he walked off the pitch, with an item thrown at him from the stands.
Sanction under new process
Having announced that Albornoz had been charged as part of its new Match Official Abuse Sanction Process, World Rugby has now confirmed the 28-year-old will miss the next four matches. He had initially been banned for six matches, with a private apology to Gardner resulting in his ban being reduced.
Albornoz will now miss Argentina's next three Tests - with Los Pumas playing South Africa this weekend ahead of a two-Test series against the Wallabies. He will also miss Toulon's clash with Stade Rochelais next month.
Committee findings
"In particular, he accepted that his conduct, taken as a whole, was intimidatory." The committee accepted that contact with referee Angus Gardner, although limited in nature, occurred while disputing a match official's decision and formed part of that overall course of intimidatory conduct.
"The committee also noted that Albornoz approached the referee on two separate occasions and had to be restrained by team-mates." The committee further noted that, while Albornoz accepted that his conduct amounted to intimidation of a match official, he did not accept that his actions were abusive, insulting, offensive or threatening. That distinction was accepted by both World Rugby and the committee.
"In determining sanction, the committee accepted that the contact with the referee, while limited, occurred in the context of disputing a match official’s decision and formed part of an overall course of intimidatory conduct." The committee considered that aspect of the misconduct comparable to the low-end entry point for contact with a match official under Appendix 1 to Regulation 17, which carries a six-match suspension.
"Taking into account Albornoz’s early acceptance of the charge, his undertakings to issue public and private written apologies, and his previously clear disciplinary record, the committee accepted that a four-match suspension was appropriate."
