Sale's Mark Cueto could be facing a lengthy period out of the game if his disciplinary hearing next week doesn't go well following his alleged eyegouge against Northampton Saints this past weekend.
The England winger got himself involved in an off the ball scuffle with lock Christian Day, and has since been cited for making contact with the eye or eye area, an offence that as we all know, now carries a hefty minimum suspension of 12 weeks.
He will front up on Monday next week to a RFU panel in the knowledge that the video evidence doesn't hide too much, and should they decide to impose a heavier ban, he could even miss out on the world cup.
While his hands did seem to make contact with the eye area, it would be quite a stretch to say that it was an intentional eyegouge, especially as the player on the receiving end has since said that he was unaware of it even taking place, and will more than likely support Cueto's cause.
That said, we have seen less clear-cut incidents receive heavy bans in the past.
The incident preceded the sending off of hooker Neil Briggs, who received a second yellow card for his involvement in the brawl. You can watch both incidents, as they both happened at the same time, below. What do you think of the eye-contact - heavy ban or not at all?
Thu 7 Apr 2011 | 11:00
Mark Cueto's alleged eyegouge and Neil Briggs' red card
2 Comments
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browner11:38 AM 13/10/2012
Cueto was guilty....absolutely not doubt in my mind.
Reason = it is a unnatural response.
In the heat of a scuffle the 'normal reaction of everyone from the schoolyard upwards is to close the fist & punch ........... To open your hand and stick your fingers forward is premeditated .....beyond any doubt.
its the worst crime in rugby....eye targeting .....zero tolerance to all face grabbing ....and the worst cases of gouging should go to prison !!! -
browner11:38 AM 13/10/2012
Cueto was guilty....absolutely not doubt in my mind.
Reason = it is a unnatural response.
In the heat of a scuffle the 'normal reaction of everyone from the schoolyard upwards is to close the fist & punch ........... To open your hand and stick your fingers forward is premeditated .....beyond any doubt.
its the worst crime in rugby....eye targeting .....zero tolerance to all face grabbing ....and the worst cases of gouging should go to prison !!!