Rugby Player Banned for Life After Incident with Female Referee
An Argentinian rugby player has been banned for life after a shocking incident during a match in Italy. The player, Bruno Andres Doglioli, who was the captain of Vicenza, committed a brutal act by laying out female referee Maria Beatrice Benvenuti from behind during a game against Valsugana.
The incident, which took place in an Italian league match, left Benvenuti with whiplash, although she managed to continue officiating the game before being taken to the hospital. The 23-year-old referee initially flashed a yellow card to Doglioli, unaware of the severity of his actions. However, upon reviewing replays, it became evident that the player’s intentions were deliberate.
The Italian Rugby Federation (IRF) handed Doglioli a three-year ban, which was later increased to a lifetime suspension, making it the most severe punishment in the IRF’s history. The federation emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards actions that violate the rules of the game and the core values of the sport.
Despite the traumatic incident, Benvenuti, who was 23 at the time, continued her career as a rugby official and went on to achieve significant milestones. She represented Italy at the Rio Olympics in the same year as the incident and has officiated in three Women’s Rugby World Cups and the Women’s Six Nations. In addition to her officiating duties, Benvenuti works as a recruiter for a Norwegian workforce solutions firm and has experience as a motivational speaker and sports columnist.
Vicenza, Doglioli’s club, announced that they would not appeal the ban and expressed hope that the stringent punishment would serve as an example to prevent such incidents in the future. The IRF’s decision to impose a lifetime ban on Doglioli underscores the importance of upholding respect and fair play within the sport. The incident serves as a reminder of the consequences of misconduct on the rugby field and the necessity of maintaining integrity and sportsmanship in all aspects of the game.
The banishment of Doglioli from competitive sport sends a strong message about the consequences of violent behaviour and the importance of upholding the values of rugby. As the sport continues to promote inclusivity and respect, incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure that rugby remains a safe and welcoming environment for all participants.