Venter gets 14 week touchline ban

[crateman]

Could it be that the RFU gave the 14 weeks, expecting an appeal.


A possible scenario then might be:

The appeal gets heard and the ban reduced.
The effect stays the same, Venter just misses the final.
Saffas appeased, justice is seen to be done.

[Tigerbob]

IMO a fairer penalty should be the serving of the 4 week suspended sentence starting immediately, with no grounds for appeal, followed by an appealable 10 week touchline ban to commence at the start of next season.

[doogie]

The significance of the 10 week ban coupled with the four week suspended ban being activated, despite in practical terms it being only a 1 match ban should not be underestimated.

Any repeat of Venters behaviour will likely result in a 26 or 52 week ban.

Further, since his behaviour has been condoned by Saracens through the statement of their CEO, subsequent charges would likely be levelled not merely at Venter but at the Club.

Totally agree Bill ... here's a quote from the Sarries Chairman on their web site ...

Chairman Nigel Wray said: “I know Brendan well and it is simply inconceivable that a man of such outstanding qualities would act in this manner. We will take whatever action is necessary to protect Brendan’s excellent reputation.”

Excellent reputation???? Just take a leaf out of Cockers book. Apologise, accept the decision, take it like a man and move on.

[Noggs]

Can't understand how he got off the pushing charge. Surely the lady in question would not have written to the RFU claiming to have been pushed if it had not happened and had not been witnessed. At the very least the RFU should release details of evidence offered, etc. and the reason for the judgement.

A letter in the Rugby Paper also raises the issue of one rule for the professional game and another for the grass roots citing the recent two week ban for a player pulling a spectator out of the crowd with a 18 month ban a coach got for playing a banned player. The inconsistancy of the RFU in itself brings the game into disrepute. For the 14 weeks to run over the closed season.... it's a joke. A touch line ban when he sits in the crowd anyway.....?

I suggest when he next comes to Welford Road we offer him a chair on the video filming platform above the Crumbie. He can jump around; sit on the back of his chair; rant, rave and gesticulate all he wants. Nobody will give a .....

[Bill W (2)]

At the very least the RFU should release details of evidence offered, etc. and the reason for the judgement.

They will eventually.

I suggest when he next comes to Welford Road we offer him a chair on the video filming platform above the Crumbie. He can jump around; sit on the back of his chair; rant, rave and gesticulate all he wants. Nobody will give a .....

I sit (or stand - there is no-one behind me) on the back row of the Crumbie - virtually on the half way line. I have already suggested that Mr. Venter might like to sit next to me when he next visits Welford Road.

[Broadstaff]

Just a thought - not sure of the answer to this. Shouldn't all top rugby clubs be able to provide first class facilities, above ground level, for the coaching staff to use and not in with the fans? Would never happen in some sports - smacks to me of "amateur" and we like to think we are professional in every way.

Some talk of core values in the press today. Isn't Cockers ranting at the ref, in full view of the TV cameras, close to breaking the core value code?

[kingol22]

Just a thought - not sure of the answer to this. Shouldn't all top rugby clubs be able to provide first class facilities, above ground level, for the coaching staff to use and not in with the fans? ?

No there is no need in rugby to separate the caches and fans from each other

[Broadstaff]

Just a thought - not sure of the answer to this. Shouldn't all top rugby clubs be able to provide first class facilities, above ground level, for the coaching staff to use and not in with the fans? ?

No there is no need in rugby to separate the caches and fans from each other

That's good to know. I used to think that in rugby there was no need for the referees to be escorted by security people off the field, but nowadays there certainly is. I'm pleased there is know danger of animosity from coaches to spectators, or vice versa, ever spilling over.

[Tiger_in_Birmingham]

Just a thought - not sure of the answer to this. Shouldn't all top rugby clubs be able to provide first class facilities, above ground level, for the coaching staff to use and not in with the fans? Would never happen in some sports - smacks to me of "amateur" and we like to think we are professional in every way.

where could he sit not amongst the tiger's fans without introducing segregation? you would have to make a home and away section and only allow the coaches there.

Some talk of core values in the press today. Isn't Cockers ranting at the ref, in full view of the TV cameras, close to breaking the core value code?

Cockers received a sentence for admitting he abused a match official earlier this season yet Venter, guilty of a similar offence, received a suspended sentence - where is the equality in that?

Cockerill stated he felt the referee was out of his depth whereas Venter implied the referee has been influenced by not fully answering a question - one stated incompetency outright the other left it open for people to infer he felt the referee had been bribed/coerced

[kingol22]

the big difference with cockers is he and the club know they were wrong and apoligised for it. Venter thinks he has done nothing wrong and the club agree with him.

[Bill W (2)]

Mr Venter is a good boy - his boss says so

His Mum probably thinks so too!

[CJ]

have I missed something? he's complaining that he's got a touchline ban - but he wasn't on the touchline, he was in the stand. So he can just stay in the stand for the one match. where is the problem?

[Bill W (2)]

have I missed something? he's complaining that he's got a touchline ban - but he wasn't on the touchline, he was in the stand. So he can just stay in the stand for the one match. where is the problem?

A "touchline ban" means that he is denied contact with the players including in the dressing room.

[Noggs]

True Bill but even with the enaction of the suspended 4 week sentence it still only means an effective 1 match ban which by any measure of 'fairness' is ludicrous. As you say, someday we will be given the right to see the evidence as presented and the reasoning behind the judgement and sentence but until that time.......