The International Rugby Board has sanctioned several players and officials of Senegal following alleged incidents of misconduct at the end of a 2007 Rugby World Cup Qualifier match between Senegal and Zimbabwe in Harare last year last year . All incidents that bring Rugby World Cup™ Tournament and the Game into disrepute are taken very seriously by the IRB/RWCL. The hearing before the Disputes Committee in relation to the incidents took place in Paris in January and heard evidence from RWCL, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) and the Senegal Rugby Union (FSR).
The Committee determined that due to the serious nature of the incidents sanctions should be applied to both Unions and several players as follows:
1. The ZRU has been suspended from hosting all senior international matches (including future Rugby World Cup qualifying matches) for failing to provide adequate security (including crowd control) at the match, until such time as the ZRU is able to demonstrate to the IRB’s complete satisfaction that the Union can provide totally effective security for all participants and other persons associated with the game before, during and after any international match of which it is the host union.
2. Four Senegalese players, Yogan Correa (captain), Louny Preira, Mbou Papa Ahmadou and Youssouf Drame, and FSR Vice President Pape Toure were found guilty of various acts of misconduct including breaches of the IRB Code of Conduct.
3. Yogan Correa has been suspended from all Rugby for a period of eight weeks.
Louny Preira is suspended from all Rugby for 10 weeks.
Mbou Papa Ahmadou is suspended from all Rugby for eight weeks.
Youssouf Drame is suspended from all Rugby for four weeks.
Pape Toure is suspended from having any involvement in Rugby for a period of 10 weeks.
4. Furthermore, the Disputes Committee deemed that the actions of the FSR’s players and officials damaged the image of the Tournament and the cherished values of the Game. The Disputes Committee determined that if the FSR over the period of the next three years is held responsible for any future misconduct (of its players and/or officials), which breaches the IRB Regulations relating to the Game, it will be liable to suspension from the IRB for a period of three years in addition to any other sanction that is imposed as a result of such a further breach.
Promising future for Senegal
Senegal have won the 2006 Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) Under 18 development tournament, beating Mali in a tight final.The tournament was played at Bamako in Mali on 6-8 July, and proved a great success.
The Senegalese beat Burkina Faso 31-0 to book their place in the final, while the home side overcame Niger 27-0. Senegal then proved a step too far though, overcoming the Mali XV and the strong home support in the final by the slender margin of 8-0.
Burkina Faso overcame Niger 10 to finish in third place.
‘I congratulate the organisers here in Mali for staging a very successful tournament,’ said IRB Development Manager Jean-Luc Barthes.
‘The quality of the rugby right through the age groups in Africa continues to rise dramatically but it is only through playing in competitions like these that the players get a taste for the real thing and a hunger to play on the biggest stage.’