Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Nigel Owens calls for overhaul of citing process after Muller case

Referee Nigel Owens (C) and touch judges Andrew Brace (L) and Brendon Pickerill (R) looks on during the Six Nations rugby union tournament match between France and England at the stade de France, in Saint Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on February 2, 2020. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Nigel Owens has criticised the inconsistency of the citing procedure, arguing that too many people are involved in the process.

ADVERTISEMENT

His comments come after Brive’s Axel Muller received a five-week ban for a dangerous high tackle on Saracens winger Ben Harris in the Challenge Cup.

Much has been said about the sanctioning administered. The EPCR agreed the tackle warranted a ten-week suspension but decided to half it when taking into consideration Muller’s clear disciplinary record and his guilty plea.

Video Spacer

Zach Mercer – Life in Montpellier & England Ambitions | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 30

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Video Spacer

      Zach Mercer – Life in Montpellier & England Ambitions | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 30

      When writing for Wales Online, Owens explained that the outcries which have followed the verdict only exacerbate a problem which has been brewing in the game for some time.

      Red cards and the citing process are brought under the microscope frequently, but Owens is adamant that the fault doesn’t lie at the feet of referees, who he claims have been “pretty consistent across the board”.

      Instead, he said it lies with the citing procedure and the bans handed out afterwards.

      “There are too many people involved in the citing process and when you have that, opinions can vary,” Owens said. “And some have not been players or referees themselves at the highest level.”

      The former referee has suggested that there should be a narrower field of citing commissioners to build a consistent interpretation of the laws which govern rugby.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      “The more people you have citing across the world, the more it comes down to differing opinions,” he said.

      One alternative which has been put forward is the introduction of a 20-minute red card, but Owens worries this would send out the wrong message to coaches and players.

      “Why should the team that has played within the laws and not committed acts of foul play be punished? It [Muller’s tackle] was a needless act of thuggery, recklessness and foul play.”

      He added that red cards are there to incentivise good on-field conduct, not ruin rugby. Because of this, he struggles to understand why an original ten-week ban for Muller was shortened.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      Related

      “I just can’t fathom what is the point of having a ban of 10 weeks if you’re going to reduce it? Apologising or pleading guilty shouldn’t get a reduction.”

      What frustrates Owens most about this is that there is not a clear throughline of what a red card is. He believes it should be exclusively for acts of “thuggery or recklessness”, not what he calls “accidents or rugby collisions”.

      As a result, he does not think an unlucky mistimed tackle should warrant a red card. It should rather be based on what constitutes foul play and the reckless endangerment of a player’s safety.

      “They [governing bodies] really need to look at everything – what is a red card, lengths of ban and citing procedures. All of those things need to be more clearly defined.”

      ADVERTISEMENT

      South Africa v Argentina | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

      France v New Zealand | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

      England v Wales | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

      Tattoos & Rugby: Why are tattoos so popular with sportspeople? | Amber Schonert | Rugby Rising Locker Room Season 2

      Lions Share | Episode 3

      Zimbabwe vs Kenya | Rugby Africa Cup Semi Final | Full Match Replay

      USA vs Spain | Men's International | Full Match Replay

      Portugal vs Ireland | Men's International | Full Match Replay

      Trending on RugbyPass

      Comments

      0 Comments
      Be the first to comment...

      Join free and tell us what you really think!

      Sign up for free
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Latest Features

      Comments on RugbyPass

      LONG READ
      LONG READ Why Henry Pollock's x-factor could earn him a Lions Test start Why Henry Pollock's x-factor could earn him a Lions Test start