Pool D latest – Williams off the hook
1 Oct 2011
Keo.co.za brings you the latest news form Pool D.
Williams off the hook – Samoa fullback Paul Williams has been cleared of any wrongdoing after being cited for a ‘punch’ in Friday’s match against the Boks.
Williams was sent off for striking an opponent contrary to law 10(4)(a). The player admitted the act of foul play.
Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all broadcast angles and additional evidence from the player and submissions from his legal representative Kieran Donnelly, the judicial officer, Christopher Quinlan QC concluded the offence was at the lower end of the scale of seriousness which has an entry point of two weeks.
The judicial officer found that there were compelling on-field and/or off-field mitigating features and a complete absence of on-field and/or off-field aggravating features.
In particular he determined that the strike was an open-handed push, the contact was not heavy and there was no adverse effect on the victim player or the match.
Therefore, in accordance with Disciplinary Clause 12.5 the judicial officer determined that no further sanction was necessary. Williams is free to play with immediate effect.

3 Comments
1 Oct 2011, 13:54 pm
A thug off the hook! I suppose in the context of the match it was not as vicious as that of the Samoan No 8 (Blowers) who struck out at everyone in range. I wonder what angle showed this as a mere push? It looked like a cheap shot from behind with the base of the band – just as effective as a punch. I understand that he felt provoked but why did he simply not let go of Brussouw? Perhaps we should tweet sp,ething about this – in true Samoan style. Samoa got off lightly here (irrelevant now anyway) but they also got the better of the refereeing decisions in teh ratio of 9:2! Just watch the match again! Why did the TJ not bring to teh refs attention the holding of Brussouw? Is it only punches that constitute foul play?
1 Oct 2011, 14:48 pm
Krap.
3 Oct 2011, 01:14 am
Lol get over it. It was a push in the face and was harshly dealt with during the game. Red Card!! Not playing tiddly winks here….
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