England and Leicester Tigers full-back Freddie Steward has had his red card downgraded to a yellow card and won’t miss his next match, a big call made by the committee and one that is creating massive debate online.
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"The Committee acknowledged that match officials are required to make decisions under pressure and in the heat of a live match environment."
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 22, 2023
Cian Healy – given a red for a direct contact to the head, downgraded to yellow
Michail Antonio – given a yellow, upgraded to red
Freddie Stewart – Given red, downgraded to no sanctionCould world rugby please decide what is or is not a red card for direct contact to the head!
— Baz Walsh (he/him) (@BazWalsh85) March 22, 2023
Confirmed: Freddie Steward's red card rescinded.
Disciplinary panel decided it was foul play but red down to yellow card for "mitigating factors including the late change in the dynamics and positioning of the opposing player." pic.twitter.com/guXfSFihES
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 22, 2023
The next question is what happens to the refereeing teams that make these errors? Do they get sent to referee school?
— Jez (@JezzaD1972) March 22, 2023
World Rugby is in a tough spot at the moment and it will be interesting how they handle the whole head clashes in the game. Safety has to come first and this is another example of World Rugby not having a clue what to do!
Does this undermine the officials in the game? It defiantly has everyone confused as the news was announced today. Freddie Steward will return to his club this week and will be a big player for England gong forward into the future.
The Freddie Steward red card vs Ireland has been downgraded to a yellow following an Independent Disciplinary Committee meeting.
Thoughts?
— Daniel Hussey (@DanielHussey2) March 22, 2023
since when is being head butted in the elbow a reason to receive a red card?
Foul play should be defined as the “intent to cause injury” , Freddie stewards clash was just that, a clash ! and quite rightly be downgraded to a yellow . Yes , Clashes to the head do need to be stamped out but not to the expense of a player playing by the rules . Freddie steward was airborne at the time of the clash and as such couldn’t change direction , I defy anyone to actually be able to do so whilst in the air !
That is the very reason I say it should be a red as he had jumped and turned with a leading elbow. Why did he not just take the impact in the midriff area, that would have stopped all the discussions. Pyper and the officials got it right.
So when a player runs into one of his own players elbow who is trying to get out of his way is a red card, yellow card, or penalty even given????
What is the point of having a referee lines person’s or var if the committee change the rules
A red card is a red card and a yellow card is a yellow card. Get over it.
I would advise you to try that and report back. Might provide the answer to your question