News

Hines and Toulon duo suspended

September 26 2008

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal, his south African scrum-half Norman Jordaan and Perpignan lock Nathan Hines are the latest guilty parties to feel the heavy hand of the French League's disciplinary committee.

Scottish international Hines was handed a 30 day suspension for trampling on an opponent during the match between Perpignan and Bourgoin on August 30, the second day of the Top 14, though Hines has been played in most of his sides matches since the incident, he will now be sidelined until October 24.

Jordaan, who played one Test for the Springboks back in 2002, was cited his part in a mass punch up between Toulon and Stade Français on September 12. Toulon's David Banquet and Stade's Rodrigo Roncero were sent off in the direct aftermath of the brawl in which Jordaan landed some hefty blows. He was the only player to be cited and was given a 20 day suspension.

Never far from the centre of controversy, Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has been banned from the playing enclosure for 30 days for his unbecoming behaviour when Toulon hosted Clermont on the opening day of the Top 14.

The disciplinary committee also had a look at the video of the fisticuffs between Clermont and Montpellier on August 30, but decided not to take any further action.

Also in hot water is Brive's Tongan centre Sukanaivalu Hufanga, who will face a disciplinary hearing in October for his high tackle on Stade Français loose forward Juan Manuel Leguizamon that left the Argentinean unconscious.