MEDIA RELEASE
28 June 2019

The Taranaki Rugby Football Union Appeals Committee has overturned suspensions on a Spotswood United official and a player after a brawl at the conclusion of the club’s match against Tukapa at Sanders Park on 1 June 2019.  

The appeals committee, made up of three independents and separate to the original TRFU Judicial Committee, looked at fresh evidence of the duo turning the appeal into a partly de novo hearing.

The committee was not satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the complaints of misconduct were proven.

The appeals were therefore allowed and the decisions of the Judicial Committee, upholding the complaint of misconduct, were quashed for both members of the Spotswood United club, the appeals committee found.

However, a Tukapa player, who appealed his eight week suspension, failed to have it overturned and the sanction was upheld.  

The appeals committee reviewed the sanction and agreed with the Judicial Committee’s original eight week suspension. The committee said that due to the seriousness of the offence, a starting point of 12 weeks was justified which was discounted by four weeks due to ‘off-field’ mitigating factors.

Another Tukapa player withdrew his appeal after copping a four week ban for his involvement.

The TRFU and its appeals committee are not able to name those involved.

Taranaki Rugby Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Parkinson was satisfied with the appeal process.

“The independent process was very thorough, and we are satisfied that this hopefully concludes a very unsavoury incident for the game of rugby in Taranaki.”

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact;

Will Johnston
TRFU Communications
0273 483 831
will@trfu.co.nz